Offshore wind energy in Japan: open the first wind farm

Wind Power Kamisu in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture started operating from July as the first open sea wind power plant in Japan. Plant output is 14 MW and can produce enough power annually for 7,000 households.

The seven wind turbines units developed by Hitachi and Fuji Heavy Industries are located about 50 meters from the shoreline. This system is designed with the wind turbine on the downwind side of the tower. In addition to being able to withstand typhoons and other strong winds, this design efficiently captures energy from updraft winds.

The wind farm is operated by Wind Power Ibaraki and the power generated is being sold to Tokyo Electric Power.

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