Welcome to IEA Wind Member Country Activities for Japan 2011

In 2011, the total installed wind capacity in Japan reached 2,501 MW with 1,832 turbines, including 25.2 MW from 14 offshore wind turbines. The annual net increase was 167 MW. Total energy produced from wind turbines during 2011 was 4.246 TWh, and this corresponds to 0.49% of national electric demand (859.663 TWh).

On 11 March 2011, the devastating earthquake and associated tsunami struck the wide northeastern region of Japan that is called Tohoku. One hundred ninety wind turbines with capacity of 270 MW were installed in the affected region, and they were shaken very severely. The shaking level was five or six on Japan’s seismic intensity scale, which has a maximum level of seven. Almost all wind turbines survived the earthquake. And, most of them restarted soon afterward and contributed to Japan’s power supply during the continuing crisis. Wind Power Kamisu semi-offshore Wind Farm was struck by a tsunami with about 5 m height.

The SUBARU 80/2.0 wind turbines with rated power of 2.0 MW survived and resumed operation on 14 March, when the utility grid was activated. (opening photo) Only one wind turbine near the Kamisu wind farm suffered damage. Due to severe liquefaction the turbine foundation shifted and the turbine became tilted. This was the only damage to a wind turbine caused by the earthquake, and it has been fixed in 2011. These results suggest that Japan’s earthquake-proof wind turbine construction design is very reliable.