In Japan, there is sea area with excellent offshore wind conditions that could be expected to provide more than 20GW of offshore wind power generation, 5% or more of total electric power generation, and ultimately reduce power generation costs. Despite this, the offshore areas are largely yet to be utilized, with most offshore wind power projects being limited to areas near the coast. Meanwhile, despite an increase in demand for fisheries products as a result of global population growth, Japan's fisheries volume now accounts for about 1.6 trillion yen, approximately half the amount recorded in 1982 (approx. 3 trillion yen), and fisheries workers are aging and their numbers are declining. In response to these circumstances, this research will evaluate the viability of an offshore aquafarming and wind power symbiosis model, and will be conducted in remote islands off Nagasaki Prefecture. If successful, this model is expected to help revitalize the local fishing industry through aquafarming, as well as the full-scale development of the offshore wind energy industry. [No. R18-0060]

Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund FY2018 Research Grants List (PDF 193KB)