Pattern Energy Group and its Japanese affiliate Green Power Investment Corporation (GPI) have begun the construction of a 112-megawatt offshore wind project in Ishikari Bay in Hokkaido, Japan.  

The debt financing for the project was arranged by MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Mizuho Bank, Development Bank of Japan, Société Générale, and Shinsei Bank.

"This historic project is Japan's largest combined offshore wind and power storage facility and the first installation of an 8MW offshore wind turbine in the country," notes Pattern Energy chief executive officer Mike Garland. "We look forward to successfully completing construction of this project and bringing a new source of clean and renewable energy to Japan, powered by the strong winds of Ishikari Bay."

The project will use 14 Siemens Gamesa 8MW wind turbines, which are built specifically for offshore use. Turbine installation is planned to begin in July 2023, three kilometres from the shore of the Ishikari Bay. It will also feature a battery storage facility with 100MW x 180MWh of capacity.

The project, along with the battery storage component, is expected to begin commercial operation in December 2023. Hokkaido Electric Power Network has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for all of its output.

With the addition of the Ishikari project, Pattern Energy has eight renewable energy facilities in Japan either operating or under construction, including three onshore wind power facilities and two solar power facilities in operation, and three wind power facilities under construction.

Pattern Energy, based in San Francisco, California, is one of the world's largest privately-owned developers and operators of wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage projects. Its operational portfolio includes 35 renewable energy facilities with an operating capacity of nearly 6,000MW in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico.

Pattern Energy holds a majority interest in GPI, a Tokyo-headquartered developer, owner and operator of renewable energy assets. GPI's development portfolio totals more than four gigawatts of wind capacity.