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By using the output of high-resolution downscaling around Japan with long-term re-analysis data and a mesoscale meteorological model, the variability of the annual mean wind speed and the potential capacity factor have been evaluated. The results indicate that (1) the change in the annual average wind speed within one year may exceed 10%. (2) Although the relative value of the standard deviation of the annual average wind speed is about 2% or less in most areas, it tends to be large in areas where the average wind speed is high. (3) Although the trend of the annual mean wind speed is not significant in most land areas, it is significant along the coast of Hokkaido and the Tohoku district. (4) The standard deviations of the annual capacity factor suggest that the differences between the maximum and minimum annual energy production levels in 20 years reach 15%.
