China and South Korea have recently been actively pursuing the introduction of offshore wind power generation. Both countries appear to have a strong desire to encourage their own domestic manufacturers to gain expertise in offshore wind power and foster the business as a high-growth export industry. The countries may further strengthen their focus on wind power if the concern over nuclear power continues to grow due to the accident at the Fukushima I nuclear power station.
According to a report released by the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA), China has introduced as of the end of 2010 a cumulative total installed capacity of about 42 GW of onshore and offshore wind power combined, surpassing its initial 30-GW target capacity far ahead of the intended target year of 2020. Most of the facilities have thus far been installed in the inland areas of the country, and there is an increasing need for offshore wind power in order to supply electricity to coastal areas with high power demand.
It has been confirmed that China has a total installed offshore wind power capacity of slightly more than 100 MW to date, and several projects are also underway for additional 200-300 MW. A draft of the country’s New Energy Industry Development Plan currently under review aims to achieve by 2020 an installed capacity of 30 GW with offshore wind power alone and enormous 150 GW with onshore and offshore wind power combined.
Meanwhile, South Korea, which had made a relatively late start in the wind power industry, recently developed a mechanism to promote offshore wind power through concerted efforts across its public and private sectors. The country has set up a target of installing 2,500 MW of offshore capacity by 2019 to become the world’s third largest wind power producer. South Korea is also showing a keen interest in promoting floating offshore wind turbines, as indicated by its move to make proposals for international standards to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). There are high expectations in the country for offshore wind power as a promising future export industry.
As it stands, Japan has so far been left behind by China and Korea in wind power development. JWPA states in its recent report, “Japan, as a country surrounded by sea, has a significantly higher wind energy potential than China and Korea. To make the most of this resource, we urge [the Japanese government] to positively consider the introduction of offshore wind power with the same or greater level of determination than these two countries.”
