Japan is preparing to take a significant step in renewable energy investments. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has officially announced its plan to build the world's largest floating offshore wind farm off the Izu Islands. The project is targeted for completion by 2035, with the facility expected to generate at least 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity.
Currently, the world's largest active floating wind farm is located in Norway, with a capacity of less than 100 megawatts. Tokyo's planned project will be approximately 10 times larger than this. This capacity theoretically approaches the output of a nuclear reactor.
How do floating turbines work?
Unlike conventional offshore wind farms, this project will use floating platforms on the water surface instead of structures fixed to the seabed. These platforms are designed to adapt to wave and wind conditions by being anchored with a complex system of ropes and anchors.
This method has a lower impact on the marine ecosystem as it does not require excavation and piling operations on the seabed during installation. The energy generated by the turbines is transmitted via high-voltage submarine cables to both island communities and the main electricity grid.
Large-scale project covering five islands
The project was first brought up by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike at the COP29 climate summit in 2024. Discussions with local communities, the fishing industry, and the maritime transport sector began in the 2025 fiscal year.
The planned power plant targets an area encompassing the islands of Oshima, Niijima, Kozushima, Miyake, and Hachijo. This large area was chosen due to both its wind potential and strategic location. The plant aims to provide energy to both island settlements and mainland Tokyo.
The project's challenges are as notable as its scale. To accelerate the process, the Tokyo government tripled its 2026 budget to 2.7 billion yen (approximately 17 million dollars). This resource will be used specifically for wind measurements and seabed analyses.
2035 target is controversial
However, private sector interest in the project is not at the expected level. High costs and long-term profitability uncertainties are making investors cautious. Indeed, Mitsubishi Corporation withdrew from major wind projects in northern Japan in 2025. This decision was driven by rising material costs and a weakening yen.
According to experts, the 2035 target is also quite ambitious. Considering that offshore wind projects typically take more than 10 years to complete, the Izu project being still in the preparatory phase further complicates the process.
Nevertheless, the project holds an important place in Japan's long-term energy strategy. The country aims to reach 45 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040.
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