Japan gives green light to offshore wind plan draft

Developers may be allowed to apply for 30-year leases.

The Cabinet of Japan has approved a draft bill to promote offshore wind, which plans basic rules for the development of offshore wind power and the location of designated construction zones. The draft has now to be approved by the National Diet.

Under the draft bill, the Prime Minister would prepare a basic offshore wind policy, which would be open for consultation. Project developers could then apply to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) for up to 30-year leases (including construction, operation and decommissioning activities). The METI and MLIT would then select the most appropriate plan, while successful bidders would apply for feed-in tariffs.

The article was originally published by Enerdata.