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  5. Cabinet Decision on the Bill for the Act for Partially Amending the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities

Cabinet Decision on the Bill for the Act for Partially Amending the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities

March 12, 2024

Joint Press Release with the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Ministry of the Environment

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry hereby announces that on March 12, 2024, a Cabinet Decision was made on the Bill for the Act for Partially Amending the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities. This law aims to allow business operators to install marine renewable energy power generation facilities in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Japan and the government to conduct research on the marine environment when designating project target zones, as part of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and other goals.

1. Background

Offshore wind power generation is considered to be a key factor in making renewable energy a primary source of electricity in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Japan has set a project formation target for offshore wind power generation of 10 million kW by 2030 and 30 million to 45 million kW by 2040. To reach these targets, Japan should not only form projects targeting its territorial and inland waters under the current laws but also take on project formation targeting its Exclusive Economic Zones. In addition, it also needs to consider the marine environment.

2. Outline of the bill

(1) Establishing a system to permit business operators to install marine renewable energy power generation facilities in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Japan

(2) Allowing the Minister to conduct research on the marine environment in order to designate promotion zones for the development of marine renewable energy power generation facilities; and establishing measures to exclude a part of the procedures conducted under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act.

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