Goto offshore wind farm, Japan’s first commercial floating offshore wind project, has officially begun commercial operations in Nagasaki Prefecture. The 16.8 MW facility, located off Goto City features eight 2.1 MW turbines mounted on hybrid spar-type floaters. This is also the first commercial deployment of the hybrid spar-type floaters technology in the world. The technology is also certified under Japan’s Marine Renewable Energy Sea-Area Utilization Act.
Japan’s First Floating Offshore Wind Farm in Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture
Goto offshore wind farm operates with a total generation capacity of 16.8 MW. This is from eight turbines each rated at 2.1 MW. The hybrid spar-type floating foundation uses a steel upper section with a concrete lower section. This supports the turbines in deeper waters where traditional fixed foundations will not stand. The hybrid spar-type technology use in Japan waters also represents the first for commercial floating wind in the world. Offtakers for the Goto offshore wind farm will be local retail providers. This goes to support local energy production for local consumption alongside holding up Japan’s target of 10 GW of offshore wind by 2030. Japan is also targeting 30 to 45 GW of wind energy by 2040, with developments like Ashikawa Wind Farm in Hokkaido Prefecture adding to the goal.
Goto Offshore Wind Farm Factsheet
Location: Goto City in Nagasaki Prefecture
Operator: Goto Floating Wind Farm LLC
Developer Consortium: TODA Corporation, ENEOS Renewable Energy, Osaka Gas, INPEX, Kansai Electric Power, Chubu Electric Power
Technology Type: Hybrid spar-type floaters
Capacity: 16.8 MW
Start of Commercial Operations Date: 5 January 2026
Certification: First floating project certified under Japan’s Marine Renewable Energy Sea-Area Utilization Act
Significance: First commercial floating offshore wind installation in Japan and first commercial use of hybrid spar technology in the world.
Project Timeline
December 2019: Goto offshore area designated as a promotion zone under Japan’s Marine Renewable Energy Sea-Area Utilization Act.
June 2020 – June 2021: Public tender launched and preferred bidder selected. This was followed by the formation of a consortium and submission of development plans.
April – August 2022: Certification of occupancy plan and granting of sea-area permit. Offshore construction at Goto floating wind farm also begins.
2023: Construction progresses. Schedule revised from 2024 due to structural issues with floaters that were corrected inline with ministry approvals.
April 2025: Naming ceremony held for the plant and turbine units.
January 2026: Start of commercial operations.
Outlook on the First Floating Offshore Wind Farm in Goto, Japan
Japan’s offshore wind portfolio has historically faced difficulties ranging from technical challenges and deep waters. This has made floating solutions particularly attractive if the engineering and economics can scale. The commercial start of Goto offshore wind farm is significant as it proves the feasibility of this concept. The Goto wind farm also adds to Japan’s renewable capacity alongside certifying the hybrid floating wind technology under Japanese regulatory and environmental frameworks.
The latest milestone also follows years of preparatory work. This is from sea-area designation and tendering in 2019 through 2020 to final certification and construction. This undertaking was also made possible by the coordinated efforts of a consortium that includes TODA Corporation, ENEOS Renewable Energy, Osaka Gas, INPEX, Kansai Electric Power, and Chubu Electric Power.
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