Powering the Offshore Wind Future in Northern Japan: Opportunities and Recommendations

This report presents an analysis of feasible socioeconomic benefits of offshore wind to the Northern Japan region, including Gross Value Added (GVA) analysis of Hokkaido Prefecture, and the necessary initiatives required to achieve them. The analysis finds that Hokkaido’s offshore wind pipeline has the potential to inject up to 2.12 trillion JPY into the economy, while creating 124,000 new jobs. Through additional and targeted investments in OM, floating wind supply chains and other initiatives, Hokkaido could triple the economic effects compared to development with current supply chain capabilities. Offshore wind projects across Northern Japan are expected to result in more than 10 trillion JPY in total expenditure, with local socioeconomic ripple effects worth trillions of yen. To realise the benefits of offshore wind for Northern Japan as a whole, and unlock the greater socioeconomic impacts achievable under the ‘potential’ scenario, the report recommends a coordinated, region-wide industrial strategy.