The UK is seeking to play a role in the development of Japan's offshore wind power, according to Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps. The country is one of the world's biggest offshore

wind markets, with more than 10 GW of installed capacity, and is looking to increase that figure to 50 GW by the end of the decade. Shapps told Reuters that Britain could participate via its energy companies or by providing financing and insurance. Japan is currently conducting a second round of public auctions to select operators for four new areas capable of generating 1.8 GW of offshore wind power, with a goal of installing up to 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 45 GW by 2040.

The move comes after the Group of Seven (G7) nations pledged to increase offshore wind capacity by 150 GW by 2030 and solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt. Shapps said that the targets set by the G7 were "overall" for the group and not broken down by individual countries, but noted that some countries would likely overachieve due to their geographic location.

Shapps spent several days discussing possible cooperation with Japan's government and industry ahead of the G7 energy and climate summit in Sapporo. He said that the UK could contribute to Japan's offshore wind development in a variety of ways, including through energy companies, finance, insurance, and technical know-how consultancy.

The UK has been actively expanding its offshore wind capacity, with companies such as BP and Shell investing in the area. Japan, meanwhile, is seeking to increase its renewable energy capacity as it looks to reduce its reliance on nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima disaster.

The G7 nations' commitment to renewable energy development is part of a wider push to combat climate change. The group has also committed to reducing emissions by 50% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

The potential cooperation between the UK and Japan on offshore wind development could have significant benefits for both countries. The UK could gain access to new markets and opportunities for its energy companies, while Japan could benefit from the UK's expertise in offshore wind and financing. Additionally, increased offshore wind capacity in both countries could help to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Overall, the move by the UK to seek a role in Japan's offshore wind development highlights the importance of international cooperation in the fight against climate change. By working together, countries can share knowledge and resources, and accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system. Photo by BehBeh at Japanese Wikipedia.