The Challenge of Tomamae Town, the Land of the Wind - December 2001

The Challenge of Tomamae Town, the Land of the Wind - December 2001

Tomamae Town in Hokkaido is attracting attention as an advanced wind power generation site. Taking advantage of its geographical location where strong winds blow, the town has been developing wind power plants since the late 1990s, and in 2001 completed a group of facilities with a total output of 52,800 kilowatts. This initiative has successfully revitalized the local economy by increasing property tax revenues and tourism income. In particular, the number of tourists visiting the power plant reached 210,000 in 2000, contributing significantly to the local commerce and lodging industry.

In addition, Tomamae Town emphasized cooperation with local residents, and ensured that safety and landscape considerations were taken into account for the wind power generation facility. As a result, the project is increasingly recognized both in Japan and abroad as a model case for sustainable energy use and regional development. The annual CO2 emission reduction from wind power generation is estimated to be about 90,000 tons, which is a significant contribution to environmental preservation. It is also reported that property tax revenues amount to approximately 500 million yen per year, part of which is used to improve the local educational environment and tourism facilities.

Data provided by the Tourism Association confirms that eco-tours centered on wind power generation facilities have been a factor in attracting tourists from outside the region, increasing the number of overnight guests and local consumption. These efforts have been featured in case studies by the Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA), and have been recognized as a successful example of renewable energy utilization that is attracting attention both domestically and internationally.

Sources
- Japan Wind Power Association (JWPA) case study
- Regional Development Report" published by Tomamae Town Hall
- Eco-tour related materials from tourist associations
- Research paper "Wind Power Generation and Its Impact on Local Economy" by the Environmental Studies Association of Japan
- Archives of domestic and foreign newspaper articles and technical journals