Wind power generation is one of the most widely‐accepted renewable energy technologies in the world. In Europe, offshore wind power is in the spotlight because lands appropriate for constructing wind farms have been limited. The North Sea nations plan to develop large‐scale offshore wind farms. Japan has also been accelerating the introduction of wind power generation since the Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused electrical power shortages. The prompt commercialization of offshore wind power is expected. Because compared with onshore wind power, Japan has many more offshore sites available and the higher potential for the growth of local industries. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) takes advantage against other domestic companies in the development of large offshore wind turbines with a rating of 5MW and above for overseas customers. This report describes an overview of the development status the large offshore wind turbine as well as the operational status of the MHI's 2.4MW offshore wind turbine, which was installed off the coast of Choshi, Chiba prefecture under the Japan's first national offshore demonstration project.
