Abstract
This study analyses the impact of offshore wind projects on regional communities by focusing on the socio-technical regime at a regional scale. In Akita Prefecture, Japan, offshore wind farms have been introduced ahead of other regions in Japan under the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities. Taking the Prefecture as a study area, we investigate the current situation and identify issues in the process of introducing offshore wind projects. To achieve a radical transformation (or "transition") of the socio-technical regime beyond existing social and authority relations, co-evolution is required between different subsystems, triggered by strengthened cooperation in the transition arena. In Akita Prefecture, the industry and polity subsystems have individually improved, whereas inter-subsystem co-evolution is not evident. We envisage that encouraging co-evolution among subsystems, founded on a mature transition arena, can facilitate a future transition desirable for local society.
https://ror.org/057zh3y96 
