Japan plans to build a large floating wind power station in Fukushima

Comprehensive Foreign Power reported on February 15 that a number of Japanese companies plan to build a large floating wind power station along the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, which was hit by a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami last year to help rebuild the area.
Sato, the official responsible for the promotion of clean energy by the Japanese government, said in a telephone interview that the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) is very supportive of the project and is expected to invest 20 billion yen (about 260 million U.S. dollars) in funds for the construction of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Fuji Heavy Industries, heavy machinery makers Ishikawajima, Marubeni Corporation, and Mitsui Shipbuilding and other companies. “Floating wind power stations are still in the development stage, so the participation of many Japanese companies is very beneficial. Offshore wind power plays a very important role in the future,” Sato said.

Officials of Japan Marubeni Corporation stated that the wind power plant is expected to be put into use by 2016 and is expected to generate electricity of 12,000 kilowatts, meeting the electricity needs of more than 100,000 households.

Japan is a resource-poor country. Before March 11, 2011, Japan's 1/3 of its electricity demand was met by nuclear power generation. However, after the Great March 11 earthquake triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis, Japan was forced to shut down a number of nuclear power plants to find other alternative sources of energy, especially renewable energy.

It is reported that the Japanese government plans to build 80 floating wind turbines on the coast of Fukushima before 2020. The funds will come from a subsidy budget for reconstruction after the March 11 earthquake.