A preliminary consideration on the feasibility of the commercialization of floating type offshore wind power generation in Goto City

摘要

This article preliminarily considers whether commercializing floating type offshore wind power generation can be realized in Goto City in Nagasaki Prefecture, or not. As a background of this study, Goto City is an island municipality and suffering from depopulation because of low birth rate and longevity, and also, due to economic slide and decrease in employment. Goto City started the pilot project of floating type offshore wind power generation in 2009, supported by the Ministry of Environment. Since the result of the project was successful, they have been expecting they can take advantage of it for local revitalization.This paper, first of all, overviews recent trends and surroundings about offshore wind power generation in both Japan and the rest of the world. This survey reveals significance and potential of this offshore project for Japan and Goto City, and finds out some challenges for the future. Next, out of several issues, this study focuses on the initial cost and considers how they can collect investment for expanding floating type offshore wind power generation. This article also refers to the possibility of communal investment as one of the ways to contribute to local revitalization. Finally, this study brings up several policy proposals for the project expansion in a way to benefit locality.