The Global Offshore Wind Summit Japan (GOWS) 2025, an event that will drive Japan's offshore wind industry, was held in Akita Prefecture. (The 2024 report is available here.)Click Here）

​​Relatec's representatives, Konagaya and Komiyama, participated in the event, with Konagaya speaking on "The process of realizing floating offshore wind power throughout its life cycle: Value chain edition." He gave a presentation on the challenges of wind condition surveys in the early development stage (Pre-FID). 

This report will highlight some of the most memorable discussions, including Konagaya's presentation, and summarize the current state and future outlook for offshore wind power in Japan. 

​​Konagaya's presentation session: "Lifecycle Realization Process of Floating Offshore Wind Power: Value Chain Edition"

The session will cover the entire floating offshore wind business. 
① Pre-FID period (Development period/Pre-FID) 
② Construction period 
③ Operation period 
The project was divided into three stages, and the issues and risks that could arise in each phase were discussed. The main theme was how to manage uncertainties that arise throughout the project, such as longer development periods, rising material costs, and unexpected wind conditions.

From Konagaya, ①Risk of backtracking on wind surveys during the pre-FID periodThe presentation focused on: 

In recent years, the government has been promoting "centralized" wind observation in Japan, but in practice, the institutional and quality infrastructure for handling observation data as "certifiable" and "bankable" data has yet to be fully established. 

In light of this current situation, the following three issues were identified: 

  • The need for a system that ensures survey results are recognized as authentic and bankable data 
  • Implementing high-quality wind observations (ensuring sufficient locations, verifying accuracy in advance, disclosing raw data, etc.) 
  • The importance of additional investigations by businesses as needed 

​​Furthermore, ③ he explained that improving the quality of advance wind condition surveys (especially wind condition observations) is essential to conducting highly accurate profitability assessments even during the operation period. He emphasized that conducting high-quality wind condition surveys at the development stage reduces uncertainty and mitigates the risk of future profitability deterioration. 

The venue was a great success, and it was a real reminder of the high expectations for floating offshore wind power. 
On the other hand, several speakers pointed out cost issues, and reaffirmed the continued importance of public support such as FIT to shape the market in its early stages. 
Based on these discussions, we have come to a strong realization that Japan needs to formulate a roadmap for gradual growth, while also looking ahead to large-scale deployments of 1GW or even deep-sea power. 
Towards the reliable implementation of floating offshore wind power,This session reaffirmed that high-quality wind surveys from the early stages of development are the foundation for profitability.​​It has become. 

​​Featured Session ① Opening Session  

In the opening session, representatives from JWPA, GWEC, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism took to the stage to exchange opinions on institutional development, risk sharing, and international cooperation aimed at expanding the adoption of offshore wind power. The panel discussion also featured representatives from Germany, Denmark, and the Basque Country (Spain), who discussed each country's institutional design and international outlook.

What was particularly striking was the discussion on the public bidding system and offshore wind power strategies. The importance of appropriately sharing risks between operators, infrastructure developers, and the government and designing systems through dialogue was emphasized. In Denmark and Germany, transparent and open system operations have been established, such as accepting questions before public bidding and publishing the answers, and I felt that there is much that Japan can learn from these countries. Discussions between the government and operators are progressing in Japan as well, but creating a system for more open and careful dialogue is cited as a future challenge.

In terms of strategy, the Basque government introduced a support system that brings together the public and private sectors, as well as a management strategy of European companies that connects the global and local. How can we increase Japan's technological capabilities and have a ripple effect on the local economy while incorporating knowledge from overseas? It felt like the ability to draw up the optimal system and industrial structure for Japan while taking into account global trends was being put to the test. 

​​Featured Session 2: Financial Panel: "Challenges and Solutions for Stabilizing Offshore Wind Power Business - From a Financial Perspective"  

In the financial panel, speakers from Development Bank of Japan, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Akita Bank, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Société Générale discussed investment strategies for offshore wind power projects, risk sharing, and funding diversification. 

Domestic and international financial institutions spoke about their future prospects from their respective perspectives, and it was striking that they all expressed high expectations and a proactive desire to invest. Domestic financial institutions in particular expressed a willingness to support Japan's energy security and decarbonization efforts from a financial perspective. 

On the other hand, the systems and market environment for attracting capital from overseas investors are still in their infancy, and many challenges were pointed out, such as responding to price fluctuations and improving data transparency. The importance of financial institutions being involved in risk management from the early stages of the project was also emphasized, and the need for a consistent financing system from development to operation was highlighted. From a financial perspective, this session also gave the impression that Japan's offshore wind industry is about to enter the next stage of growth. 

​​Featured Session 3: Current Status and Outlook of Offshore Wind Supply Chain – Domestic Procurement and International Collaboration

In this session, speakers from MHI Vestas, Nippon Steel Engineering, Siemens Gamesa, and Eurus Energy discussed the importance of building a domestic supply system and reducing costs through international collaboration. From a variety of perspectives, including wind turbine manufacturers, operators, and EPC contractors, they exchanged views on how to build a domestic supply chain and collaborate internationally. 

From the EPC perspective, the lack of large construction ships, port infrastructure, and component supply systems was cited as an issue, and the need to convert existing industries to offshore wind power was emphasized. A wind turbine manufacturer pointed out that "it is important to participate in an international supply chain, rather than relying on a single country," and a discussion was held on the direction that should be taken in building a domestic supply chain. 

Many of the speakers shared the view that stable project formation and long-term demand forecasts are key to investment decisions, reaffirming the importance of the country's strategic direction and the development of a business environment. 

​​Featured Session 4: Fisheries Panel: "Regional Consensus Building and Fisheries Coexistence"

The main theme of this session was the coexistence of offshore wind power and fishing, with lively discussions taking place, particularly on the current state and challenges of the "statutory council." It was impressive to see frank opinions presented not only from the perspective of government and business operators, but also from the perspective of fishermen, making this a valuable session that directly reflected the actual situation on the ground. 

This was an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of positioning offshore wind power generation projects not as a "risk avoidance target for environmental assessments," but as a partner in regional revitalization and the promotion of fisheries. 

There was a common understanding that building a "win-win" relationship in which both the fishing industry and the wind power industry can benefit will be the key to increasing local acceptance in the future, and the content of the talks provided many practical suggestions.

​​Featured Session 5: Floating Offshore Panel "Floating Offshore Wind Power Development and Sea Area Utilization"

In this session, a discussion was held on the need for zoning, including exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and ocean utilization plans for the offshore deployment of floating offshore wind power. Coexistence with fisheries remains a major issue even offshore, and it was pointed out that future empirical research is essential to understand the positive and negative impacts of floating structures on fishery resources. 

In particular, given that there are plans to introduce floating structures at the Mutsu Ogawara Test Site in the future, it was felt that conducting a fisheries impact assessment and symbiosis experiment at the site would be beneficial. Furthermore, in addition to fishermen and experts, companies aiming to shift to sustainable fishing also took to the stage, and it was impressive to see new perspectives presented that went beyond conventional discussions. 

As a business involved with the ocean, Relatec and the Mutsu Ogawara Test Site feel it is necessary to keep a close eye on these trends when considering the creation of a sustainable marine environment and the future of the fishing industry. 

Impressions from participating members

​​Japan's offshore wind power enters the "real start-up phase" (Konagaya)  

GOWS2025 made us realize that Japan's offshore wind industry is at a turning point. The business withdrawals in Round 1 were symbolic of market challenges, but on the other hand, the national and local governments, as well as industry stakeholders, demonstrated a strong determination to continue moving forward toward the 2040 introduction target and carbon neutrality by 2050. 

While there was a common understanding at the event that the Japanese market is still in its infancy, many also expressed the view that excessively short schedules and cost pressures could hinder the healthy growth of the market. This withdrawal is not seen as an isolated case, but as a sign of structural issues, and serves as a lesson for future market development. 

​​The importance of government-led institutional development was also emphasized. It was felt that it is necessary to correct the structure in which power generation companies bear excessive risk, including centralized wind surveys, and to create a system supported by society as a whole. It is necessary for the national government, local governments, and industry to work together to build a system foundation that supports stable growth. 

Japan's offshore wind industry isThree pillars: policy support, technological innovation, and industry-academia-government collaborationThe company is now in a period of reconstruction, aiming for sustainable growth. After a temporary setback, the atmosphere throughout the venue conveyed that this is now the "real start-up phase." 

​​We are now in a phase where our determination to see things through to the end is being tested (Komiyama)  

At GOWS2025, I strongly felt that participants from a wide range of positions, including operators, suppliers, wind turbine manufacturers, EPC operators, government officials, and financial institutions, have high expectations for offshore wind power. While there is positive enthusiasm across the market as a whole, there are still many challenges in terms of systems and environmental development, and I realized that Japan's offshore wind industry is still in its infancy. 

For future development, it is essential that the government set out a clear policy and establish a system for long-term support from the perspective of energy security and the local economy. At this stage, there is a common understanding that it is important to ensure the project is completed, and I felt that the situation calls for a "see-through attitude" and the ability to execute from each and every person involved. 

We at our company feel that we must support the success of offshore wind power projects from the perspective of wind conditions with a sense of responsibility and technical expertise through accurate and reliable wind condition observation and analysis. 

As wind condition consultants, Rera Tech Inc. will conduct optimal wind condition surveys that combine "observation" and "estimation" for wind power generation. Please feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries regarding wind conditions.

Contact Rera Tech Inc. here