Offshore Wind Energy at Akita Port
Strong winds off the Sea of Japan blow over Akita Prefecture throughout the year. The prefecture has taken advantage of these high wind conditions to install over 280 onshore wind turbines since 2000. The recent addition of offshore wind turbines is a crucial step in realizing a carbon-neutral society.
Akita Port’s shallow seabed and extensive shoals made it an ideal site for one of the first full-fledged offshore wind farms in Japan. The 13 wind turbines began operation in January 2023, and each turbine generates enough electricity to power roughly 4,000 households.
Although there are challenges to building in the ocean, offshore wind turbines do not have to work around existing buildings or infrastructure. In addition, offshore wind farms make it possible to build larger wind turbines unobstructed by natural terrain. The average onshore turbine is around 120 meters tall, while the offshore turbines at Akita Port are 150 meters tall. These bigger turbines, which are slightly taller than Port Tower Selion, can generate a larger amount of energy more efficiently.
