A study on level of possible conflict for developing offshore wind energies in Japanese territorial waters

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本稿の内容は、Marine Policy　vol.129　July 2021, 104514（DOI :10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104514）に掲載されました。


This study identified suitable areas within Japanese territorial waters for offshore wind energy, which could be considered to become “promising zones” recognized by a legal framework effected in 2019, and areas within these zones reflecting possibilities to face a few conflict with fishery groups, shipping agents, and local　residents (minor conflict areas). Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis revealed that areas suitable for promising zones recognized by the legal framework covered 53,665 km2 or 12% of Japanese territorial waters. However, when community concerns regarding the seascape, conflicts with fishery rights and shipping routes are comprehensively considered, the minor conflict areas are considerably limited especially for bottom-fixed wind turbines in nearshore areas. When the following conditions are considered; (a) the distance from shore is more than and equal to 10 km, (b) the shipping density is less than 3 ships/month, (c) not covered by fishery rights, the total area of minor conflict areas was only 7,213 km2 or 2% of Japanese territorial waters. These areas correspond to a potential installation capacity of up to 5.3 GW for bottom-fixed and 37.9 GW for floating wind turbines. Although offshore wind energies are to play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, when a target for offshore wind capacity is established in the future, consideration of a realistic target should be undertaken by taking into account areas with less concern for conflicts.