Japan, Newfoundland Implement Offshore Wind Legislation for Energy Growth

Japan is advancing its offshore wind energy ambitions by passing legislation that enables the development of floating offshore wind projects in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with the law set to take effect by April 2026. The new bill authorizes the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLITT) to designate wind development areas and issue licenses, while establishing a council to coordinate stakeholders and streamline environmental assessments. This move is critical for Japan, which lacks sufficient shallow waters for traditional offshore wind and thus relies on floating wind technology to reach its target of 45 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2040. Industry experts, including the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), have praised the legislation but emphasize the need for continued industry-government collaboration to develop clear frameworks, efficient permitting, infrastructure access, and investment de-risking mechanisms to scale floating wind projects. Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador have enacted complementary legislation to regulate offshore renewable energy, including wind and hydrogen projects, further signaling a broader momentum in offshore renewables development. Both regions view these legislative steps as strategic and essential to expanding renewable energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.