OMNI Features｜Half of Companies Didn't Bid in the Third Round of Japan's Offshore Wind Auction ．Estonian-Finnish Undersea Power Link Estlink 2 Down Again Due to Fault．Vestas Wins Order for Japan's 315 MW Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy Project

｜Half of Companies Didn't Bid in the Third Round of Japan's Offshore Wind Auction
Japan's third offshore wind bidding round, announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, saw limited participation despite prior environmental assessments by over 15 companies. Challenges such as worsening profitability, inflation, labor shortages, and rising material costs—exacerbated by the yen's depreciation—mirror similar issues faced in Europe. Among the successful bidders were JERA and Green Power Investment in Aomori, and a consortium including Marubeni and Kansai Electric in Yamagata. However, notable firms like Mitsubishi Corporation and Cosmo Energy Holdings chose not to bid, citing financial infeasibility.

Industry experts suggest that limited resources and the complexity of offshore wind projects have deterred participation. Offshore wind requires significant investment over decades, along with specialized expertise. Although government plans aim to expand offshore wind capacity to 45 GW by 2040, stakeholders face mounting hurdles. Calls for revised subsidy structures and clearer evaluation criteria are growing as Japan seeks to balance profitability, local collaboration, and sustainability in renewable energy development.

｜Estonian-Finnish Undersea Power Link Estlink 2 Down Again Due to Fault
At 12:26 p.m. Wednesday, EstLink 2, the critical power link between Estonia and Finland, experienced an unexplained fault, prompting investigations by Estonian and Finnish transmission system operators. Elering confirmed that reserve capacities in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania could substitute for the disrupted supply, ensuring electricity security. The exact cause, potentially involving human or environmental factors, remains unclear.

This incident follows a costly EstLink 2 shutdown earlier in 2024, which led to significant energy price increases. The power link, essential for transmitting offshore wind energy and other sources across the Gulf of Finland, underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Interior ministers from Baltic and European nations are set to discuss enhanced security measures for underwater assets, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding offshore wind and power networks in the region.

｜Vestas Wins Order for Japan's 315 MW Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy Project
The Oga Katagami Akita Offshore Green Energy project, developed by a consortium of JERA Co., J-POWER, Tohoku Electric Power Co., and ITOCHU Corp., features 21 V236-15.0 MW turbines with a long-term service agreement to ensure optimal performance. This is Vestas' first firm order for its V236-15.0 MW turbines in the Asia Pacific region and Japan's inaugural offshore wind project under the Renewable Energy Sea Area Utilization Act. Located off the coasts of Oga, Katagami, and Akita cities in Akita prefecture, turbine deliveries begin in 2026, with operations starting in June 2028.

Reference: Nikkei｜ERR｜OER International