Japan: “Port and Harbor Law” has been modified to promote offshore wind power development

This modification proposal is approved by the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors in Japan on 13 May 2016.

This modification is bundled with the promotion of port abilities for sightseeing cruisers.

The new contents are as follows:

• To allow 20 years occupation of the designated water zone in the port area for developers
• To settle the bidding system of offshore wind power development in the port area

20 years is too short for the full business period (from research, construction to decommission). It is adopted as a compromise, since there are no experience for fixed term more than 20 years in Japanese law system. Developers can offer the occupation rights again. Therefore this restriction will not harm the projects.

Port area has a good infrastructure for construction and grid connection. Therefore, most of offshore wind power projects are planned in port area in Japan now.