How Asia’s Offshore Wind Sector Is Gaining Momentum in 2025
How Asia’s Offshore Wind Sector Is Gaining Momentum in 2025
By Sharon Lo Deputy Director, Program Strategy & Insights, Tara Climate Foundation, Chair of ReNew2030’s Implementation Partners Council
Across Asia, momentum continues to grow around offshore wind and renewable energy development in 2025. Recent changes in regulatory frameworks, project planning approaches, and market mechanisms are helping unlock new opportunities for clean energy deployment in countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Tara Climate Foundation, a partner of ReNew2030, has been working with a broad group of organisations to shine a spotlight on offshore wind, making the case for its economic and social benefits, highlighting the vast potential across Asia, as well as providing technical expertise and support to help enable its potential to grow.
From expanded zones for offshore wind projects, to more coordinated permitting processes and large-scale energy auctions, new developments are creating a more supportive landscape for scaling clean energy infrastructure and advancing national energy transitions.
Through my work at Tara Climate Foundation, and insights gained from close collaborations with experts and partners, here are some observations on how this momentum is unfolding across key geographies in the region – and what it could mean for Asia’s offshore wind future.
Japan: New Framework to Support Floating Offshore Wind Development
Japan has passed a long-anticipated bill paving the way for the development of floating offshore wind projects within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The new framework, set to take effect by April 2026, introduces several measures that enable new wind energy projects, including designating development zones in the EEZ, a formal licensing structure, the establishment of a stakeholder consultation council, and a streamlined environmental assessment process led by the government. Earlier this month, the Japan government announced its industry vision for offshore wind, including a target to develop 15 GW of floating capacity by 2040. These developments mark a significant step forward in unlocking Japan’s offshore wind potential, following years of supportive policy engagement and technical dialogue by a range of stakeholders.
South Korea: Landmark “One Stop Shop” Policy to Streamline Offshore Wind Permitting
In a major boost for South Korea’s offshore wind ambitions, the National Assembly passed the Special Act on the Promotion of Offshore Wind Power in February 2025. Informally known as the “One Stop Shop Act,” the policy is designed to simplify the complex permitting and regulatory processes that have historically slowed down projects. By centralising and expediting approvals, the Act is expected to significantly reduce project timelines. South Korea has set a target of 40.7 GW of installed wind capacity by 2038, and the implementation of this new approach will be key to achieving that goal.
Philippines: Green Energy Auctions Accelerate Renewable Energy Capacity
The Philippines’ Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) has emerged as a critical driver of renewable energy growth. Since its inception in 2022, nearly 12 GW of contracts have been awarded across three rounds. The most recent auction in February 2025 attracted 7.5 GW worth of bids – exceeding its 4.6 GW target – with strong interest in pumped hydro and geothermal. Looking ahead, over 10 GW of solar and wind capacity are expected to be awarded in the next round (GEA-4) scheduled for September 2025. Notably, the recently announced GEA-5 will mark the country’s first auction dedicated solely to fixed-bottom offshore wind, offering 3.3 GW of capacity for delivery between 2028 and 2030. Efforts are underway to ensure auction designs support long-term bankability, including mechanisms to address inflation and currency risks, helping maximise the economic benefits and promote investment in wind power.
These recent developments show there is growing potential for offshore wind to deliver clean, reliable power at scale – supporting the region’s economic ambitions while contributing to long-term energy security and climate resilience.
Continued collaboration, investment and innovation are key to creating a thriving offshore wind sector.
Together with our partners from the ReNew2030 network, we can keep building towards a renewable transition that works for people in Asia, and around the world.
