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Understanding Wind Power Generation

01Background and Future Outlook for Wind Power Generation

Wind power is increasingly recognised as a sustainable clean energy source due to its ability to generate electricity day and night as long as the wind blows, as well as its high generation capacity per turbine.
While Japan’s overall electricity demand has been declining due to population decrease and energy saving, it is expected to rise again with the advancement of digital transformation (DX) and green transformation (GX).
Industrial demand is particularly projected to grow, driven by the construction of new semiconductor factories and data centres.

Electricity Demand Forecast and Energy Supply Outlook (Japan)
Breakdown of Actual and Projected Domestic Electricity Demand (consumption end)

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Electricity Demand Forecast and Energy Supply Outlook (Japan)
Breakdown of Actual and Projected Domestic Electricity Demand (consumption end)

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According to the energy mix in the 7th Basic Energy Plan, renewable energy is projected to account for 40 - 50% of Japan’s power supply by 2040.
Within this, wind power is expected to contribute 4 – 8%, showing the second-highest growth potential after solar energy in comparison to the result in 2022, indicating strong expectations for the sector.

Energy Supply and Demand Outlook

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02Current Status of Wind Power Deployment in Japan

Despite national targets set for FY2030, wind power deployment in Japan remains significantly behind schedule. If this trend continues, renewable energy capacity may fall short of demand, delaying Japan’s progress toward a decarbonised society. To address this, both onshore and offshore wind farms must be developed steadily, making full use of wind power's characteristics.

Current Status of Onshore Wind Power Installation

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Current Status of Offshore Wind Power Installation

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03Wind Power Industry Trends and Outlook

Wind power in Japan is facing a major turning point. The sector faces challenges such as the complexity of new project development, maximising the use of existing infrastructure, adapting to changing policies, and enhancing grid stability. Several key areas of focus are emerging for the future:

As suitable locations for wind power installation become increasingly limited, recent projects are often being developed in areas with stricter regulations or more challenging wind conditions. This situation demands more advanced technical knowledge and careful planning, including gaining consensus with local residents, adapting construction methods, and controlling project costs.
In addition to new installations, there is growing attention on maximising the use of existing wind turbines. Long-term stable power supply is supported by technologies and strategic decisions such as repowering — replacing blades and generators — and extending operations to maintain safety and efficiency.
As the number of operating turbines continues to rise across Japan, the importance of operations and maintenance (O&M) is increasing. On-site solutions such as regular inspections, preventive maintenance systems, and training of local personnel are essential to ensure reliable electricity delivery.
With the transition from the fixed-price FIT scheme to the market-linked FIP system, the frameworks supporting renewable energy deployment are also evolving.
For example, Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs), in which businesses directly procure power from renewable energy providers, are becoming more common.
These changes require developers to be more flexible and responsive to diverse market conditions.
As the share of renewable energy grows, balancing supply and demand becomes essential - especially given wind power’s dependency on weather conditions. To build a flexible and resilient energy system, it is increasingly important to leverage energy storage and enhance output control technologies.

04Japan Wind Development’s Vision for the Future

As a pioneer in Japan’s wind industry, JWD has built strong capabilities across the upstream and midstream segments of the wind power value chain - including development, construction, and O&M. Looking ahead, we aim to further diversify by entering new fields such as electricity retail and battery storage.

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Onshore Wind Power

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