The Matsumae Offshore Wind Project in Hokkaido has been designated as a candidate area in Japan’s 4th round of promotion area tenders under the Act on Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas for Renewable Energy (commonly known as “Round 4”). It is positioned as a key project supporting the national target of securing 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 30–45 GW by 2040.
The project’s total generation capacity is estimated at approximately 250 to 320 MW. It is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing Japan’s energy mix while also contributing to regional industrial development and economic revitalization.
As of July 30, 2025, the area has been officially designated as a promotion zone. While publicly available information remains limited at the time of writing, we will continue to update this article as new details emerge regarding developer selection, project timelines, and more—so stay tuned!
➡ For an overview of all ten Promotion Areas as of 2025, see:
Promotion Areas for Offshore Wind in Japan – 2025 Overview
1. Project Overview
| Project name | TBD (To be determined) |
| Developer | TBD (Kansai Electric Power is considering the project) |
| Consortium Members | TBD |
| Location | Hokkaido Matsumae Offshore |
| Type | Fixed-bottom Offshore Wind Power (Estimated) |
| WTG | TBD |
| Price | TBD |
| Capacity | Approximately 250–320 MW (estimated: 21 turbines × 15 MW) |
| Start of Construction | TBD (Estimated: from 2027 to the early 2030s) |
| Operation Period | TBD |
2. Location
2-1. Sea & Geographical Features
Located off Matsumae Town in southwestern Hokkaido, this area lies within the Tsugaru Strait at a water depth of 50 to 60 meters. It is adjacent to important fishing grounds for species such as spear squid and tuna, and measures to ensure coexistence with fisheries were a key focus in local council discussions. The designated area covers approximately 3,710 hectares.
2-2. Port Infrastructure & Grid Connection
Matsumae Port or a port in Kaminokuni Town is being considered as the construction and maintenance base. Power is expected to be transmitted via the Hakodate switching station to connect with the southern Hokkaido grid. Currently, grid capacity is limited, and future expansion is likely to be required.
3. Consortium Members
TBD
4. Project Implementation Structure
TBD
5. Project Schedule
TBD
Summary
The Hokkaido Matsumae Offshore Wind Power Project is one of the candidate sites in Japan’s 4th round of promotion area tenders (“Round 4”) under the Act on Promoting Utilization of Sea Areas for Renewable Energy. Located along the Sea of Japan coast in southwestern Hokkaido, the project is planned to have a maximum capacity of approximately 315 to 320 MW.
As the area requires careful consideration for coexistence with fisheries and environmental impacts, sustainability and regional collaboration will be key challenges moving forward. While the project’s implementation framework, consortium composition, and grid connection plans remain undecided, it has attracted growing attention, and further details are awaited.
As the project advances through developer selection and environmental assessments, we will continue to provide timely updates on its progress.
To explore how this area compares nationally and understand Japan’s offshore wind roadmap, visit:
Promotion Areas for Offshore Wind in Japan – 2025 Overview —
your guide to Japan’s offshore wind Promotion Areas.
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