Japan seals offshore wind deal with Siemens Gamesa

Japan has announced a new cooperative framework with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to enhance the country’s offshore wind sector.

The public-private deal is part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to establish a resilient domestic renewable energy supply chain.

With no native manufacturers of wind turbines, METI’s latest move seeks collaboration with global industry leaders to create local production capabilities, as reported by Reuters.

An official from METI emphasised the importance of the partnership in developing a robust domestic supply chain for wind power.

Offshore wind is central to Japan’s renewable energy plans; however, dependence on foreign-made turbines and parts has been an obstacle for homegrown production.

The agreement between Siemens Gamesa and TDK, a Japanese electronic component manufacturer, will see TDK providing magnets essential for Siemens Gamesa’s turbine construction.

Siemens Gamesa offshore business CEO Marc Becker stated: “We are bringing the newest technology to new markets […] We are also continuously expanding our supply chain, and hence we’re coming to Japan to work together with TDK on producing magnets in Japan, which will allow us further growth.”

In early June 2025, METI initiated similar cooperation with GE Vernova, a significant US-based energy equipment manufacturer, to advance public-private partnerships across sectors including wind power and alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

Japan is targeting 45GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040 as part of its strategy to diminish its coal and gas import dependency for electricity generation. However, progress has been hampered due to rising costs and project delays after three substantial auction rounds.