Wind Power News: Asia
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Govt eyes relaxation of rules on construction of renewable energy plants
The government is considering relaxing regulations on building solar power plants and other renewable energy facilities to promote their use in the country, according to government sources. A Government Revitalization Unit subpanel tasked with discussing deregulation and system reforms intends to exempt solar power generation plants from acreage restrictions in the Factory Location Law. The subpanel, chaired by Sumitomo Corp. Chairman Motoyuki Oka, has drawn up a plan to relax regulations in 183 energy-related fields. The Government Revitalization Unit is . . .
Empty farms eyed for power generation
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has decided to take advantage of abandoned or dormant farmland to encourage power generation using renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind power. The ministry plans to submit bills to the Diet in February revising the Agricultural Land Law, the Forest Law and other related laws to relax regulations on the use of farmland and forests. Furthermore, it also plans to offer financial assistance to agricultural production companies that also engage in the . . .
Israeli environmental group: Wind turbines endanger birds, threaten open areas
Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel says that if plans go through to build turbines in the Golan, northern Negev and Eilat mountains, they will place the open areas there at risk and dramatically change the landscape. Renewable energy has found itself an unexpected enemy: one of Israel’s largest environmental groups. Though wind turbines may be helping the environment by providing a clean energy source, they also endanger birds and bats, the Society for the Protection of Nature . . .
India to end wind farm tax break next fiscal, official says
India will discontinue a tax break for wind farms starting in April, the beginning of the financial year, potentially stalling growth in a $3 billion market dominated by turbine-supplier Suzlon Energy Ltd. (SUEL) “Accelerated depreciation will go away in April,” Dilip Nigam, director of wind policy at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said in an interview in Mumbai today. General Electric Co., Siemens AG, and Spain’s Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica SA (GAM) are expanding wind-turbine manufacturing capacity in India . . .
‘Threats to open space ever-increasing’
SPNI decries planning and building hazards to country’s land that endanger local wildlife. Threats to open areas are ever increasing as the government’s inclination to protect the public interest simultaneously decreases, according to a report released by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel on Tuesday. This year, SPNI identified 110 such threats – 12 more than last year – of which 22 are brand new issues that emerged in 2011, according to the fifth annual report on . . .
Suzlon to develop 3,000 MW of wind energy in Andra Pradesh
India’s largest wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy will develop 3,000 MW in Andra Pradesh by 2016 with a potential investment of Rs.18,000 crore. The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government during last week’s Partnership Summit 2012 in Hyderabad. Andra Pradesh is one of the fastest emerging wind energy destinations in the country. As per the MoU, the state government will help Suzlon in obtaining mandatory permissions, registrations, approvals and clearances necessary for developing wind-based energy . . .
Fewer new wind power installations in Japan
Many of Japan’s politicians have said the country has to look to renewable energy sources for the future, yet the country’s new wind power installations will drop by 68 percent in the current fiscal year. About 82 megawatts of power will have been installed by the end of the fiscal year, a report by the Japan Wind Power Association points out. During the previous fiscal year, the country managed to install 256 megawatts. The reason for the significant drop in . . .
Japan wind power installations to drop 68% as subsidies halted
Japan’s wind power installations for the year ending in March will decline 68 percent after the government halted a program that provided subsidies for clean energy projects, an industry association said. The country will add 33 turbines generating 82 megawatts of wind power for the year ending March, according to an estimate by the Japan Wind Power Association released today. For the year ended March 2011, Japan installed 256 megawatts. Japan stopped direct subsidies in 2010 that paid for a . . .
Law eyed to let localities take control of unused land
The farm ministry is mulling a new law to promote power generation in farming and fishing communities using renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, government sources said. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry aims to establish a system under which scattered unused farmland would be consolidated to make room for power-generation facilities. Municipal governments would be able to set up councils to coordinate between power operators, landowners and local residents, while the operators would be able to receive . . .
Gov’t eyes new law to promote renewable energy in farming communities
TOKYO (Kyodo) — The farm ministry is considering a new law to promote power generation in farming and fishing communities using renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, government sources said Tuesday. The legislation, envisioned by the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry which could be submitted during the upcoming regular parliamentary session starting this month, aims to establish a system under which scattered unused farmland would be consolidated to make room for power generation facilities. Under the legislation, the . . .
