TOKYO, Dec 24 Reuters Japan39;s industry and land ministries on Tuesday selected two consortiums, one including energy major BP, as operators for two offshore wind blocks in a third major round of public auctions.

The results of this round held under a law promoting wind power development, were closely watched by domestic and international energy companies weighing the advantages of renewable exposure, industry analysts said.

Japan aims to accelerate offshore wind development as part of its decarbonisation strategy, targeting 10 gigawatts GW of offshore wind farm deals by 2030, and up to 45 GW by 2040.

A consortium of JERA, Green Power Investment, and Tohoku Electric Power won the 615 megawatts MW wind farm on the southern side of the Japan Sea off Aomori prefecture, near Tsugaru city and the town of Ajigasawa.

Another consortium, including Marubeni, Kansai Electric Power, BP39;s unit BP IOTA, Tokyo Gas and local firm Marutaka secured the 450 MW wind farm off the coast of Yamagata prefecture near the Yuza town.

Both bottomfixed projects are scheduled to begin operations in June 2030, with turbines supplied by Spain39;s Siemens Gamesa, a government statement said.

In a previous auction round, Spanish utility Iberdrola and Germany39;s were among the winning consortiums of a separate offshore block.

Earlier this month, BP and JERA agreed to join forces to form one of the world39;s largest offshore wind operators, highlighting a trend of Japanese firms partnering with…