Hirono Wind Development completed the environmental impact assessment for an up to 128MW onshore wind project in Hirono Town, Iwate Prefecture. It submitted the final assessment on September 3 and received METI approval on September 18, 2026.
According to the document released for public viewing on October 9, 2026, the company plans to install 31 turbines, 4.2MW each, across an approximately 2,529ha site. Their combined 130.2MW output will be capped due to grid connection size. Construction was scheduled to begin in September 2026, with commercial operation expected in April 2030.
Japan Wind Development launched the environmental impact assessment for the project in October 2016, planning an up to 162MW power plant at the time. It submitted the methodology in March 2017 and transferred the process to Hirono Wind Development in March 2020. The special purpose company (SPC) downscaled the planned asset to its current size in the draft assessment filed in August 2022.
The SPC’s registered address moved to NTT Anode Energy’s in February 2023, National Tax Agency data shows. In September 2026, The Iwate Nippo reported the project being jointly invested in by the telecom operator’s unit and Japan Wind Development. Each partner’s economic interest was not disclosed.
Several other onshore wind projects in the area are undergoing environmental impact assessment. ENEOS Renewable Energy’s up to 45MW Nosouke Toge and Invenergy-affiliated Nishikuji Wind’s up to 120.4MW Nishikuji have been at the methodology stage since April and December 2025, respectively. Tokyu Land completed the assessment for its up to 43MW Iwate-Kuji.
NTT Anode Energy entered into the wind power generation business in September 2020 and jointly acquired Green Power Investment with JERA in August 2023. Japan Wind Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infroneer Holdings, has developed 37 wind power plants totaling 605.4MW in Japan.
