Transparency data

Memorandum of Co-operation in the field of offshore wind between DBT and DESNZ of the UK and METI of Japan

Published 7 March 2025

MEMORANDUM OF CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF OFFSHORE WIND BETWEEN (1) THE DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS AND TRADE AND (2) THE DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND of the one part AND THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF JAPAN of the other part

The Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (Japan) (hereinafter referred to individually as ‘Participant’ and collectively as the ‘Participants’);

Introduction

Acknowledging the role that offshore wind can play in accelerating the clean energy transition and ensuring energy security;

Reaffirming the Participants’ shared commitment made in the Hiroshima Accord and Renewable Energy Partnership in 2023 to tackle climate change and strengthen their partnership to enable greater deployment of renewable energy;

Recognising the success of the joint workshops on offshore wind held between the Participants under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and seeking to build on this;

Welcoming the ongoing collaboration between Japan’s Floating Offshore Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) and the UK’s Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC) to pursue collaboration on floating offshore wind technology development, technology standardisation and supply chain development;

Have jointly decided as follows:

Paragraph 1 – Purpose

The purpose of this Memorandum of Co-operation (hereafter referred to as ‘this MoC’) is to support and encourage collaboration on offshore wind deployment in the Participants’ respective countries, growing the Participants’ respective industries and accelerating climate action.

Co-operation between the Participants under this MoC will be based on the principles of mutual benefit and reciprocity and will be guided by the Participants in partnership with businesses and other enterprises.

The Participants share a strong partnership in advancing the clean energy transition. Recognising Japan’s significant investments in the UK’s offshore wind sector and the UK’s leadership in offshore wind expertise, the Participants see the importance of mutual collaboration and knowledge sharing to develop domestic sectors and opportunities for UK and Japanese Offshore Wind businesses.

This MoC emphasises the will to build on this existing co-operation to accelerate deployment, address barriers to trade and investment and encourage technological collaboration through Government-to-Government discussions, industry and academic co-operation, underpinned by the aim to harness the potential of our respective offshore wind sectors.

Paragraph 2 – Areas of Co-operation

The Participants intend to work together in the following areas and any other areas the Participants decide on:

• Exchange policy experiences and best practice between Participants’ governments, including approaches to shared challenges.
• Encourage activities that help build sustainable supply chain capabilities for offshore wind projects including collaboration on diversified supply chains.
• Support bilateral investment between the Participants’ two nations involving both UK and Japanese suppliers and investors including through Japan External Trade Organization.
• Support collaboration between industry and experts on deployment and technological development in floating offshore wind in the UK and Japan, including through FLOWRA and OREC.
• Encourage business-led initiatives that create opportunities for UK and Japanese companies to collaborate in Japan, the UK, and third markets, by mitigating the challenges with respect to, but not limited to, finance, supply chain and transmission system, including through co-operation between the Participants’ public finance agencies like Japan Bank for International Co-operation, Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, UK Export Finance and British International Investment.

Paragraph 3 – Operation

The Participants will work to carry out this MoC through regular exchanges including through, but not limited to, existing dialogues and platforms such as the METI-DBT Ministerial Dialogue, METI-DESNZ Climate and Energy Dialogue, and the CEPA Trade and Sustainable Development sub-committee. When necessary, new offshore wind policy meetings may be arranged by mutual decision.

Paragraph 4 – Resolution of Differences

Any differences that may arise between the Participants relating to the interpretation or operation of this MoC will be resolved amicably and in good faith by consultations between the Participants and will not be referred to any third party for resolution.

Paragraph 5 – Data Sharing and Protection

Each Participant will not use or disclose any data or other information exchanged on the basis of this MoC except for the purpose(s) for which they were provided and in accordance with the laws and regulations that apply to each Participant in its respective territory. Except as required by those laws and regulations, such data and information will not be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of the Participant who provided the data or information. This Paragraph will continue to be respected even after the discontinuation of this MoC.

Paragraph 6 – Final Matters

Co-operation under this MoC will come into operation on the day of its signature by both Participants and will remain in operation unless discontinued by mutual written consent of the Participants or by either Participant providing six months’ notice of discontinuation to the other Participant.

Any of the Participants may propose a variation to this MoC by means of a written notice to the other Participant; any such modification will be put into operation by mutual written consent between the Participants.

All costs resulting from co-operation under this MoC are to be borne by the Participant that incurs them, unless otherwise jointly decided by the Participants in writing.

The Participants acknowledge that this MoC is not an international agreement and does not create any legally binding obligations under domestic or international law. Nothing in this MoC affects the Participants’ rights and obligations derived from international agreements to which the UK and Japan are parties or the Participants’ obligations under domestic law.

Signed in duplicate in Tokyo on the 7 March 2025, in English, by:

• Mr Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade
• Mr Muto Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry