Japan follows Europe by tapping offshore wind for power Jan 20, 2008

[kristopher]

Japan follows Europe by tapping offshore wind for power

(Reuters) - Overlooking a mountain lake a few hours drive from Tokyo, dozens of tall wind turbines spin in the breeze creating carbon-free power for the world's fifth-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.

A sudden change in breeze spins the turbines in a different direction, an apt symbol of Japan's efforts to shift away from fossil fuels for renewable energy such as wind power to help cut its greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

Wind farms such as the Nunobiki Plateau Wind Farm on a hill north of Tokyo, which generates enough electricity to power some 35,000 homes a year, have failed to make a dent in Japan's obligations to cut carbon gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

But Japan is now looking towards the sea, following in the footsteps of Europe which is the world's leader in wind energy, by planning a network of offshore wind farms to tap into the gales of the Pacific Ocean.

"It's worthwhile entering the sector now as offshore technology is at the cutting-edge," ...

http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKT10204120080120?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true