220 MW Kitakyushu Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm — Japan’s largest — commences commercial operation

Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) (“Baker McKenzie”) is pleased to announce that the 220 MW Kitakyushu Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm (the “Project”) commenced commercial operation as of 2 March 2026. As announced in May 2023, Baker McKenzie advised on the negotiation of the project finance related turbine supply agreement (TSA), service and availability agreement (SAA) and EPCI contracts for key Project facilities, including the wind turbine foundations and onshore facilities. Financing was co arranged by Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd. and the Development Bank of Japan Inc. as mandated lead arrangers, joined by 34 other financial institutions in the loan’s syndication. The transaction was recognized as the Project Finance Deal of the Year at the 2024 Asian Legal Business (Thomson Reuters) Japan Law Awards.

With a total project cost of approximately JPY 170 billion (approximately USD 1 billion), the Project comprises twenty five 9.6 MW class large scale wind turbine generators supplied by Vestas with a total generating capacity of 220 MW, making it the largest offshore wind farm in Japan to date. The turbines have a rotor diameter of 174 meters, and their blade tips reach a height of approximately 200 meters above sea level — comparable to a 65 story building. Hibiki Wind Energy Co., Ltd., which was selected through a public tender by the city of Kitakyushu in 2017, serves as the project company, with Kyuden Mirai Energy, J POWER, Hokutaku, Saibu Gas and KRAFTIA (formally Kyudenko) participating as sponsors.

Following financial close, Baker McKenzie continued to advise on the Project through the construction phase. The Firm’s team was led by Naoaki “Nick” Eguchi, head of the Tokyo office’s Renewable Energy Group, together with partners Pierre Chiasson (foreign registered lawyer) and Masabumi Tamagawa. They were supported by team members Masami Sakai, Mana Isobe and Ryota Hiyamizu.

“We are delighted to see the Kitakyushu Hibikinada Offshore Wind Farm begin operation,” Nick commented. “As Japan advances toward achieving its carbon neutrality commitment and the global community strengthens its pledge to achieve net zero under the UN framework, the launch of Japan’s largest offshore wind project sends a powerful message to the renewable energy industry. Our firm has been involved in numerous offshore wind projects in Japan and abroad, including the floating offshore wind project off the coast of Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, which commenced commercial operation in January 2026. We remain committed to leveraging our extensive experience to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.”