Japan's Largest Onshore Wind Farm Begins Commercial Operations in Abukuma Area, Fukushima Prefecture- Contributing to recovery and sustainable development in disaster-affected areas through a large-scale wind power project -

Sumitomo Corporation, JR East Energy Development Co., Ltd. (JED), Fukushima Mirai Kenkyukai, Japan Wind Engineering Co., Ltd. (JWE), Fukushima Electric Power Co., Ltd., Shimizu Corporation, OBYASHI CLEAN ENERGY Co,Ltd, RENOVA Inc. and Shinobuyama Fukushima Power Co., Ltd. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "the nine companies"), through Fukushima Fukko Furyoku, LLC (*1), in which they have jointly invested, have been advancing the construction of the Abukuma Wind Power Plants No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "the wind farm") since April 2022. Construction was completed on March 31, 2025, with commercial operations starting on April 2, 2025, under Japan's Feed-in Premium (FIP / *2) system.

The renewable energy generated at the wind farm will be supplied to multiple companies and municipalities with business operations in Fukushima Prefecture through Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPA / *3). A portion of the revenue from energy sales will be utilized for funding reconstruction projects in local municipalities where the wind farm is located through the Fukushima Prefecture Renewable Energy Reconstruction Promotion Council.

The Abukuma Wind Power Project and the Wind Farm

The Abukuma Wind Power Project (hereinafter "the Project") is being promoted by Fukushima Fukko Furyoku, LLC, which was selected through a public tender process in 2017, under the Fukushima Renewable Energy Promotion Vision and the Fukushima New Energy Society Concept, with financial support from Fukushima Prefecture in the form of assistance program subsidies. The project is part of the prefecture's initiative to generate more than 100% of its energy demand from renewable energy sources by around 2040.

The wind farm is Japan's largest onshore wind farm at the time of commencing operations, with 46 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3,200 kW, installed on ridgelines in the Abukuma region, spanning the municipalities of Tamura, Okuma, Namie and Katsurao in Fukushima Prefecture. The total generating capacity of the wind farm is approximately 147,000 kW, with an expected annual generation equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 120,000 households.

Contributing to Fukushima's Energy Plan and Disaster Recovery Efforts Through Corporate PPAs

Initially, the wind farm was planned to operate under the FIT (*4) system; however, upon commencing operations, it transitioned to the FIP system, enabling direct transactions with power consumers. The renewable energy and environmental credits generated by the wind farm will be purchased in full by the Sumitomo Corporation Group, which will act as an aggregator (*5) and enter into corporate PPAs with electricity consumers. By trading the entire annual generation of approximately 360 million kilowatt-hours per year, this will contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions for many companies, while also supporting Fukushima Prefecture's "Renewable Energy Promotion Vision," alongside continued efforts to support the prefecture's reconstruction and promote local energy production and consumption. Ongoing discussions regarding specific initiatives for use of the project by companies and municipalities are detailed below.

Power Consumers (Partial List)	Project Utilization
Kamome Mirai Fisheries Co., Ltd.	Green power supply for a fully enclosed land-based mackerel aquaculture facility operating in Namie Town's North Industrial Park, aiming for the sustainable development in the fishing industry.
Okuma Town Hall	Green power supply for town hall facilities, and utilizing the Abukuma Wind Farm for environmental education.
Okuma Rururun Power Co., Ltd.	Providing and selling green electricity to public facilities in Chuo Ward, Tokyo through a regional new power company using locally generated renewable energy.
SUMCO Corporation	Green power supply for factories in the Tohoku region. (Considering outreach activities such as guest lectures for local schools on the importance of renewable energy in semiconductor manufacturing.)
Domestic Consumer (Undisclosed Company)	Contributing to climate change countermeasures by decarbonizing electricity used in domestic production activities.
Sumitomo Corporation	Utilizing green energy to promote decarbonization in Sumitomo Corporation Group business activities.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Fukushima Prefecture has made renewable energy promotion a pillar of its reconstruction efforts. The Project will continue to contribute to these efforts through the stable operation of the wind farm and its returns to the local community. Fukushima Prefecture aims to establish its position as a leading region for renewable energy by generating an amount of renewable energy equivalent to more than 100% of its total energy demand, and this project plays a role in supporting that vision. Further, through the application of the FIP system, the Project will broaden its initiatives to include stakeholders in electricity demand and supply, helping further advance reconstruction efforts.

【Comments from Partner Companies】

Sumitomo Corporation

Sumitomo Corporation is advancing the development and deployment of carbon-free energy and has set a mid-term target of providing over 5 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Through the operation of Japan's largest wind farm, the company will accelerate efforts toward the reconstruction of Fukushima Prefecture and the promotion of local industry.

JED

JR East Group company JED is responsible for the development of renewable energy sources and the operation of power plants to achieve JR East's long-term environmental goal, Zero Carbon Challenge 2050. By advancing projects in partnership with local communities, they aim to create a source of new vitality in regional areas, contributing to rejuvenation and rural development.

Fukushima Mirai Kenkyukai

Fukushima Mirai Kenkyukai works under the slogan "A more vibrant Fukushima in 30 years!" and remains committed to contributing to the reconstruction and future development of Fukushima.

JWE

JWE played a key role in initiating development of the wind farm, beginning with preliminary studies in 2015. Based on its wealth of experience gained through involvement in wind power projects over more than two decades, the developer handles the entire range of processes from location selection to development, construction and operation. Upholding a commitment to “valuing sincerity,” the company forms long-term relationships of trust with local communities and pursues locally oriented electricity project management.

Fukushima Electric Power

Fukushima Electric Power is advancing initiatives to expand the use of renewable energy, including solar and wind power projects and the establishment of a shared power grid operating company, to contribute to the achievement of the Fukushima Renewable Energy Promotion Vision.

Shimizu Corporation

Leveraging its comprehensive capabilities, Shimizu Corporation has been involved in the construction of numerous renewable energy power plants and led the construction of this one. As a member of the energy generation industry, the company promotes renewable energy to realize a decarbonized society.

OBAYASHI CLEAN ENERGY (A subsidiary of Obayashi Corporation)

The project represents OBAYASHI CLEAN ENERGY's 36th renewable energy power plant, bringing its total installed capacity to approximately 284,000 kilowatts of solar, wind and biomass power. The company will continue to promote green energy and is committed to the development of a sustainable society.

RENOVA

Renova, under its Corporate Philosophy and Mission of "Creating green and sustainable energy systems for a better world" is committed to achieving a decarbonized society and collaborating with local communities through the operation of this onshore wind farm, which is both a symbol of Fukushima's recovery and one of the largest in Japan.

Shinobuyama Fukushima Power

Shinobuyama Fukushima Power is honored to be able to participate in this large-scale project, which is the largest of its kind in Japan, especially given their strong belief that renewable energy will play a significant role in driving Fukushima's recovery. The company will continue to work towards creating a safe and secure society through the promotion of renewable energy.

1. Fukushima Reconstruction Wind Power was established in 2015 and reorganized into a limited liability company in 2018.
2. FIP = Feed-in-Premium System. A system that provides a premium subsidy for electricity sold by renewable energy generators to encourage investment and promote the expansion of renewable energy. Electricity is sold on the wholesale power market or directly to individual power consumers.
3. PPA = Power Purchase Agreement: A long-term agreement for purchasing renewable energy from power producers.
4. FIT = Feed-in Tariff System. A system in which electricity generated from renewable energy is purchased by general transmission and distribution companies at a fixed price for a fixed period.
5. An entity that primarily consolidates renewable energy power plants along with other power sources, forecasts generation, optimizes electricity supply-demand balance, and supplies electricity to consumers, ensuring a stable power supply that includes renewable energy. The Sumitomo Corporation Group established ENEXIA LLC in March 2024 to advance this initiative.

Name	Abukuma Wind Farm (Collective name for power plants No. 1 – No. 4)
Location	Ridgelines spanning the municipalities of Tamura, Okuma, Namie and Katsurao in Fukushima Prefecture
Start Date	April 2, 2025
Total Generation Capacity	Approximately 147,000 kW
Annual Power Generation	Approximately 360 million kWh per year (Equivalent to the consumption of about 120,000 households)
Operational Period	April 2025 – March 2045 (20 years)

Related Information : Construction started for Onshore Wind Power Project in Abukuma, Fukushima | Sumitomo Corporation

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