JAPAN

The Japanese Government instituted its Sunshine Project in answer to the problems created by the oil crises of the 1970’s. In 1993, as a way of efficiently overcoming barriers related to new energy, the New Sunshine Program (NSS) was launched; it has been conducted under the aegis of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and has included a renewable energy R&D programme that has directed development of wind power in Japan. Between 1990 and 1994 the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) carried out a wind resource measurement study, and between 1991 and 1998 it undertook a MW-class demonstration wind farm on Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture.

The IEA reports that Japanese installed wind power capacity was at a low level until, in 1995, the Government launched a Field Test Program in order to stimulate the introduction of wind plants. At that time capacity stood at 10 MW, but 1996 and 1997 saw growth of 42% and 27% respectively. In mid-1997 the New Energy Law was passed, which aimed to further stimulate the interest in wind power and 1998 showed an increase of 84% over 1997. By end-1999 nearly 44 MW of capacity had been added bringing the total to 75 MW, an increase of 138% over 1998. However, the WEC Member Committee reports an end-1999 installed capacity figure of 83 MW.

To help in achieving the target of 300 MW installed wind capacity by 2010, as quoted in the Primary Energy Supply Plan, the Government has added two incentive schemes to the Field Test Program. One is the New Energy Local Introduction Supporting Program that provides subsidies to new public-sector energy projects and the other, the New Energy Business Supporting Program, which provides subsidies to private-sector wind businesses.

In 1999 NSS/NEDO put in place two R, D&D programmes. The first is the Development of Advanced Wind Turbine Systems for Remote Islands, to utilise the wind resource in Japanese islands where fossil fuel-derived electricity is expensive to produce. The second is the Development of Local Area Wind Energy Prediction Model, a model that is able to accurately predict the correct siting for wind projects in the complex Japanese terrain. Lastly, with oceans surrounding Japan, research has begun into the feasibility of siting wind turbines offshore.

COUNTRY NOTES (WIND ENERGY)

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