Abdul Latif Jameel catches the breeze in Japan’s ‘Wind Town’ to power clean energy
1x- Pathfinding pilot green energy micro turbines project 20 installations, generating 400 KW, saving 1,000 tons of CO2 annually
- Success and sensitivity to community and environment open the door to expansion
- Potential for investment in, and development of wind power in Japan significant
Abdul Latif Jameel General Trading Japan, a progressive developer of clean energy, launched its two first ‘micro’ wind turbines at Cape Erimo – Japan’s “Wind Town” – in south-east Hokkaido, the country’s northernmost major island. This is the first in a series of pilot wind energy projects, planned across Japan, working in partnership Abdul Latif Jameel Energy.
With a capacity of 20 KW each, these new installations will bring the total micro-turbines to be delivered through this project to 20: 6 units in Hokkaido, 12 in Aomori and 2 in Akita. Their combined power will generate a total of 400 KW into the national grid: enough to supply energy to around 400 typical homes and saving around 1,000 tons of CO2 annually through 20 year agreements with regional power companies Hokkaido Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. respectively.
Cape Erimo was chosen for the turbines, as the wind blows at over 10 meters/minute for more than 260 days a year making it one of the strongest wind potential areas in Japan.
Harnessing the country’s significant wind power potential across Hokkaido and Tohoku, offers a valuable natural resource, with opportunities to develop the local economy and to cultivate Japan’s green energy sector.
The Abdul Latif Jameel team, continue to research wind and solar potential, identifying sites, and design, construct and operate wind power solutions and are seeking to rapidly develop and scale this project partnering with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), Abdul Latif Jameel Energy’s global renewables developer.
“In the future, we will build 50 or more units of similar small-scale wind turbines, and from 2019 some much larger capacity units. This will be in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Energy’s renewables business ‘FRV’, and contribute positively to extending the clean energy business across Japan” commented Shigeki Enami, President and CEO, Abdul Latif Jameel General Trading.
The micro wind turbines project is successful as it remains sensitive to environmental and local community considerations, Mr Enami continued:
“At each stage of the site assessment and development, we frequently consult and look to develop a close relationship with local communities.”
Japan’s wind power electricity sector today generates only a small proportion of the country’s Power. As of 2015, Japan had a total installed capacity of 3,167 MW. Industry experts have estimated that Japan has the potential for 144 GW for onshore wind and 608 GW of offshore wind capacity.
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