Since Japanese fiscal year 2023 starting in April 2023, JOGMEC has been conducting bathymetry, identification of sea floor objects, wind conditions, meteorological, and oceanographic site surveys for offshore wind development as part of the Japanese Centralized System, whereby the Government of Japan proactively engages in project development from an early stage (Note 1). Currently, JOGMEC is conducting its first site surveys in three areas in Hokkaido, namely offshore Gan-u and Minamishiribeshi regions, offshore Shimamaki, and offshore Hiyama. The results from these site surveys will be provided to offshore wind developers, who participate in public tenders for promotion areas under the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities (Act No. 89 of 2018).

Under the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan approved by the Cabinet in 2021, Japan intends to introduce 5,700,000 kW of offshore wind power by Japanese fiscal year 2030, and in order to achieve this objective, the acceleration of project development is of vital importance (Note 2).

In light of this background, JOGMEC and ClassNK concluded the MOC for accelerating Japan’s offshore wind development, whereby JOGMEC’s site survey results contribute to the third-party certification process for construction suitability of planned offshore wind power generation facilities with respect to local environmental and operational conditions. With the conclusion of this MOC, JOGMEC will continue to conduct efficient and effective site surveys that are mindful of the third-party certification process for offshore wind power generation facilities after the public tenders for promotion areas, thereby accelerating project development.

By concluding this MOC, JOGMEC and ClassNK will accelerate Japan’s offshore wind development by achieving a cooperation that leverages their existing know-how and human resources.

(Note 1)For further information related to JOGMEC’s Offshore Wind Development Department, please see the website of JOGMEC below.

• Overview of JOGMEC’s Site Survey (Available only in Japanese)

(Note 2)For further information related to the Cabinet’s approval of the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan, please see the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry below.

• The Cabinet approves the Sixth Strategic Energy Plan (Available only in Japanese)

1. Japanese Centralized System and JOGMEC’s role
   The Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities (Act No. 89 of 2018, enforced in 2019) established the public tender process of promising areas for selecting offshore wind developers and providing the right to exclusively occupy them for 30 years. At the same time, however, local stakeholders, including the fishing industry, were burdened by the simultaneous site surveys by multiple offshore wind developers. To alleviate this, as part of the Japanese Centralized Model, which is a government-push initiative to increase efficiency for project development, the Act of Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation was amended in Japanese fiscal year 2022 to allow JOGMEC to conduct site surveys for obtaining data necessary for feasibility analyses of offshore wind developers. Under the Japanese Centralized Model, JOGMEC conducts bathymetry, identification of sea floor objects, wind conditions, meteorological, and oceanographic site surveys to collect data necessary for the offshore wind developers to conduct feasibility analyses, and further, JOGMEC provides such data to offshore wind developers to increase efficiency in project development by reducing the need for each offshore wind developer to conduct its own site survey.
   
   
   For further information related to the implementation of the Japanese Centralized Model, please see the website of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry below.
   • Outline of the Implementation of the Japanese Centralized Model for Offshore Wind Power Generation (Available only in Japanese)
2. About ClassNK
   Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, known as ClassNK, is an international ship classification society based in Japan, that was established in 1899 with a mission to ensure the safety of life and property at sea and the prevention of pollution of the marine environment. With respect to the area of offshore wind power generation, ClassNK was registered as a third-party certification process since March 2023 under Article 69 Section 1 and Article 48.2 of the Electricity Business Act (Act No. 170 of 1964) and provides third-party certification in Japan for offshore wind power generation facilities (both fixed-bottom and floating).
   
   For further information regarding ClassNK’s renewable energy business, please see the website of ClassNK below.
   • ClassNK Renewable Energy
   Related news release
   News release by ClassNK dated October 5, 2023
   • ClassNK signs a Memorandum of Cooperation for accelerating Japan’s Offshore Wind Development with JOGMEC (Available only in Japanese)