三菱みつびし商事しょうじ 洋上ようじょう風力ふうりょく撤退てったい発表はっぴょう 社長しゃちょう「事業じぎょう計画けいかくの実現じつげん困難こんなん」

Mitsubishi Corporation, a major trading company, has officially announced its withdrawal from the offshore wind power projects planned off the coasts of Akita and Chiba prefectures, citing significant cost increases as one of the reasons.

With the review of large-scale projects that the government has promoted to expand the use of renewable energy, it is inevitable that there will also be an impact on the countrys energy policy.

Since February of this year, Mitsubishi Corporation and others have been reviewing their plans, citing a significant increase in business costs due to soaring material prices and labor costs.

As a result, it was determined that it would be difficult to secure profitability for any of the three projects, and they had no choice but to discontinue development.

This plan is the first phase of the governments focused development initiative aimed at expanding renewable energy, and a consortium led by Mitsubishi Corporation won the bid by offering a significantly lower electricity sale price compared to other bidders.

I received expectations and encouragement from the local community, but I am truly sorry that I was not able to meet those expectations.

On top of that, regarding the reason for deciding to withdraw, he said, Since winning the bid in 2021, global inflation and price increases by wind turbine manufacturers have overlapped, causing costs to rise significantly.

The construction costs ended up being more than double the originally estimated amount, and it was concluded that realizing the business plan would be difficult because the total expenditures, including maintenance and operation costs, would exceed the revenue from electricity sales over the entire project period.

He was asked whether the electricity selling price and other factors set at the time of planning were appropriate, and President Nakanishi replied, Based on the business environment that could be foreseen at the time of the bidding four years ago, we calculated the electricity selling price while ensuring sufficient profitability.

We did not offer particularly low prices; rather, the drastic changes in the business environment led to this outcome, he said.

Furthermore, when asked about their own responsibility, they said, We have abandoned the plan, but we will do what we can, such as sharing the data collected so far with future successor operators.

He stated, There is still work to be done to achieve a decarbonized society, and I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as president.

Mitsubishi Corporation has already recorded a loss of 52.2 billion yen in last years consolidated financial results due to the review of the plan, and says that any additional losses will be limited.

The government has positioned offshore wind power as a key pillar of future renewable energy and has supported related projects, but with the review of this large-scale project, it is now expected that there will inevitably be an impact on the countrys energy policy.

In this, Governor Suzuki said, It is extremely disappointing and extremely regrettable.

I was greatly shocked because I thought that, since it was a nationally backed project and a leading company representing the country had won the bid, there was no way they would withdraw.

On top of that, I believe that Mitsubishi Corporation has not only a responsibility to explain, but also various other social responsibilities.

I would like to seek a thorough response, and as a prefecture, we also want to stand by the businesses and respond properly from now on, he said.

It is important to just move forward, so I want the government to proceed with the procedures for reopening applications quickly and reliably, he said.

Off the coast of Choshi City, a consortium including Mitsubishi Corporation is moving forward with plans to construct offshore wind power facilities after being selected through a national bidding process. The original plan aimed to begin operations in 2028.

On the other hand, the Choshi City Fisheries Cooperative receives 300 million yen annually from the business entity through a fund aimed at promoting the fishing industry.

Regarding the announcement of the withdrawal this time, a representative of the fisheries cooperative said, We are using part of the fund to subsidize fuel costs for fishermens boats, but we are worried that such support might disappear.