Accelerating Offshore Wind Energy: The Role of Port Infrastructure

On August 26, 2025, a significant seminar titled "Accelerating Offshore Wind Energy: The Role of Port Infrastructure" will be held, featuring insights from Yikka Ogawa, a specially appointed researcher at the Renewable Energy Foundation. This event will focus on critical discussions around the expansion of offshore wind energy and the pivotal role that port facilities play in this initiative.

Seminar Highlights

The seminar is structured around the following topics:
1. Analysis of Designated Base Ports: We will explore the designated ports for the development of offshore wind, including current conditions and challenges faced by these ports.
2. Annual Installation Requirements: Understanding the amount of offshore wind energy needed annually to combat climate change and the necessary infrastructure at base ports.
3. Specifications for Future Base Ports: A forecast of the specifications that will be required for future base ports based on the large floating offshore wind turbines currently deployed.
4. Recommendations for Port Operations: Insights and proposals on how to better configure ports to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy.
5. Q&A Session: Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the speaker.

Background

The introduction of offshore wind energy depends heavily on suitable port infrastructure, which facilitates the manufacturing, transport, installation, and maintenance of wind turbines. Since the enactment of the Renewable Energy Sea Area Utilization Act in 2020, ports such as Noshiro, Akita, Kashima, and Kitakyushu have been designated, leading to advancements managed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and local development bureaus.

To effectively utilize base ports, agreements are essential among port administrators, local development bureaus, and contractors. However, overlapping project timelines can complicate exclusive usage periods, leading to inefficiencies, particularly if alternate base ports are available but cannot be used. This inefficiency presents a bottleneck in the expansion of offshore wind energy.

Starting from 2024, discussions have commenced surrounding the adjustment of regulations, accommodating larger turbines, and the increasingly congested use of ports. A report detailing progress is anticipated in March 2025. Although there have been some advancements, the need for a flexible, broader operational framework is clear to exceed government and private sector targets. Notably, the large floating wind projects will require collaboration among multiple ports.

This lecture aims to investigate how to transcend institutional and physical restrictions in order to hasten the deployment of offshore wind energy, analyzing the future state of base ports and their challenges from policy, contractual, and operational perspectives.

Additional Information

The seminar will be conducted via Live Stream (Zoom Webinar), with a recording available for two weeks, allowing participants to view at their convenience.

For inquiries, please contact:
Shin Shakai System Research Institute
Address: 2-6-2 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 4F Zaimax Nishi-Shinbashi Building
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 03-5532-8850
Fax: 03-5532-8851

To learn more about the Shin Shakai System Research Institute (SSK), established in December 1996 and hosting approximately 500 corporate seminars annually, visit SSK's website. SSK dedicates itself to providing high-level information pertinent to management strategies, marketing, and technology within the diversifying business landscape, thereby supporting business growth and success.