Japan Interconnector and Frontier Power apply for Hokkaido 2 GW HVDC project
On December 23, 2024 Japan Interconnector Inc. and its JV partner Frontier Power Ltd. submitted a pre-qualification expression of interest to OCCTO, Japan’s grid regulator, to participate in the bidding for the Hokkaido-Honshu (Japan Sea route) 2 GW HVDC 800km submarine power cable project. The pre-qualification is now closed, and today OCCTO announced the participating companies. Asides from Japan Interconnector and Frontier Power, only one other consortium has participated in the pre-qualification. In January 2025, the pre-qualification results will be announced, after which final bids will be due on December 26, 2025. Only pre-qualified companies may participate in the bidding. This is the first long distance subsea power cable in Japan and one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the country in recent years. In public documents, OCCTO have estimated the project cost at up to 1.8 trillion Japanese yen, which is equivalent to around US$ 12 billion.
Further details are available on OCCTO’s website here.
Japan Interconnector featured by EnergyOMNI
Japan Interconnector’s founder and CEO, Oliver Senter, was featured in an in-depth interview by EnergyOMNI, a leading Taiwanese energy transition publication. The article explores the growing opportunities for interconnectors in Asia, such as projects developed by Japan Interconnector from Japan to Korea (EEL and FUGU projects) and Japan to Taiwan via Okinawa (TUNA project). The article is published at an opportune moment, with a recent announcement by the Taiwanese government that it is considering an electricity import plan from Japan and Philippines modelled on Singapore’s regional interconnector program.
See here for the full article.
Japan Interconnector and Frontier Power agree to establish JV
Japan Interconnector has agreed to enter a JV with Frontier Power, a UK-based interconnector developer. The new 50:50 JV company, Frontier Power Asia, will be based in Tokyo and used to co-develop certain interconnector projects. At establishment, Frontier Power Asia will develop the EEL Project and also the FUGU Project, a second Japan-Republic of Korea interconnector, connecting the cities of Pohang and Matsue. Frontier Power was the lead developer for the UK-Germany interconnector, NeuConnect, which was later invested by Tokyo Electric and Kansai Electric, and was financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Based on this experience, Frontier Power will contribute technical and development know-how to the JV.
Japan Interconnector participates in FGN Growth Pitch
Japan Interconnector participated in the a growth pitch event related to the energy sector held by Fukuoka Growth Next (FGN) in Fukuoka City. Shinya Nakamura, Head of Investor Relations, represented Japan Interconnector. FGN is Fukuoka’s leading start-up support facility and a hub for venture capital in Fukuoka and Kyushu. Further details of the event can be found at the link below.
https://note.com/fgn/n/n350c401f0f00
Japan Interconnector signs MOU at AZEC
Japan Interconnector has entered an MOU with Frontier Power, Enterprize Energy and Verdana Malaysia in relation to co-development of a 2 GW HVDC interconnector between Vietnam and Singapore. The MOU was announced at the Asia Zero Energy Community (AZEC) event organised by the Japanese government and held in Jakarta on August 21, 2024.
See here for the press release in full.
Japan Interconnector participates in Tsushima symposium
Japan Interconnector participated in a symposium on the marine environment of Tsushima island. The symposium was a trilateral event organised by Japan, the Republic of Korea and the US demonstrating the warming ties between the three countries. Tsushima island, part of Nagasaki prefecture, is roughly equidistant between Fukuoka and Busan and a potential way point for Japan Interconnector’s EEL Subsea Cable Project. At the symposium Japan Interconnector representatives discussed with stakeholders from the Japan, Republic of Korea and US about the economic and environmental implications of the EEL project for Tsushima island. After the symposium, Hunter McDonald, Head of Strategy at Japan Interconnector, joined a beach clean up in Tsushima island to raise awareness of marine plastic pollution. Read more about Hunter’s visit and the symposium itself at the links below.
https://medium.com/@HuntMac84/reflections-on-tsushima-c1badf1a794c
Japan Interconnector starts development of the TUNA Project
Japan Interconnector has started development of the TUNA Project, a 1,200 km interconnector between Japan and Taiwan. The TUNA Project may be developed in phases, with phase 1 connecting Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu island with Okinawa, and phase 2 completing the full length to Taiwan. The interconnector is expected to facilitate the decarbonisation of the Okinawan power grid by exporting excess solar from Kyushu island and providing a route to market for Taiwanese offshore wind developers to export excess wind power to Japan. In order to progress the development of the TUNA Project, two Taiwanese staff and one Okinawa-based staff will join Japan Interconnector.
Japan Interconnector closes a pre-seed funding round
Japan Interconnector has closed a pre-seed funding round. The funds will be used to establish the company’s team and operations and to expand its project development pipeline. The pre-seed funding round was led by Shizen Energy Inc, a Fukuoka-headquartered renewable energy developer and climate tech pioneer. Four other companies and angel investors participated in the pre-seed round.
Japan Interconnector is founded and starts development of the EEL Project
Japan Interconnector was founded in February 2022 in Fukuoka City with a clear purpose to develop subsea power cables projects, known as interconnectors, in Japan and the Asia Pacific region. Interconnectors are increasingly common in Europe due to the rise of intermittent renewable energy and are seen as essential infrastructure for energy security. Japan Interconnector has started the development of its first project, an interconnector from the island of Kyushu in Japan to the city of Busan in the Republic of Korea. Along the capital route there are two mid sized populated islands, Iki and Tsushima, which are not yet grid connected. Japan Interconnector is exploring developing a multi-purpose project which can not only be used to trade power between the Republic of Korea and Japan, but also to provide grid access for offshore wind farm developers and energy security for Iki and Tsushima.