PRESIDENT JIN KATO
GENERAL INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION
JAPAN WIND POWER ASSOCIATION

In October last year, the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA) held the first Global Offshore Wind Summit-Japan (GOWS-J) in Kitakyushu City. Co-sponsored by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), a global wind power industry organization, and Kitakyushu City, this event focused on the theme of offshore wind power generation. Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was successfully concluded with the support of 25 sponsors and attended by many on-site and virtual participants. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who sponsored and participated in the summit.
In November this year, JWPA and GWEC will hold the second GOWS-J (GOWS-J 2022), co-sponsored by Akita Prefecture, in Akita City. Wind farms are being built at two ports in Akita Prefecture, which will be the host area, operators have been selected for multiple promotion zones in the general sea area, and further promising zones have been notified for the next round of bidding and beyond. Thus Akita is a highly appropriate location for this second summit.
We are confident that this event, which brings together much experience, advanced technology, and knowledge about offshore wind power generation, will be a great opportunity for interaction among those involved in industries related to offshore wind power generation around the world.
We look forward to seeing you in Akita, which is currently at the very heart of offshore wind power generation development in Japan.