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.
Maharashtra wind project a threat to ecology: panel
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) has slammed the Maharashtra government for clearing the Andhra Lake Wind Power Project promoted by Enercon (India) Limited. Situated near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary here, the 113 MW wind energy project has caused “substantial forest destruction and triggered large scale soil erosion,” according to the panel. “This project should not have been cleared at all without completing the constitution of a Ecologically Sensitive Zone [ESZ] in the region and the implementation of the . . .
Use of gomala land for wind power units opposed
The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and the district unit of the Hasiru Sene have demanded that the State government should withdraw the order sanctioning gomala (cattle grazing) land to private companies for the purpose of setting up wind power stations in Ranebennur and Hirekerur taluks of the district. While on the one hand, the government provides financial help to dairy farmers to buy cows and buffaloes, on the other hand it is snatching away land meant to graze these animals, . . .
Offshore wind energy: Industry sceptical about high costs & cumbersome procedures
CHENNAI/MUMBAI: India has begun work to assess the country’s potential to generate wind energy offshore but the industry is sceptical about the option because of high costs and cumbersome procedures. Wind energy accounts for less than 10% for India’s total power generation, with installed capacity of 16,000 MW. But ambitions for the sector are big, with estimates that the capacity will be doubled within five years. While offshore turbines deliver 50% higher plant load factor (a measure of capacity utilisation) . . .
Update: ‘One dead, one missing’ after China turbine blaze
An engineer has died and another classed as missing after a wind turbine made by China’s CSR caught fire in Inner Mongolia, according to local reports. The accident happened at the Zhurihe Wind Farm No. 2 in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, operated by Huaneng Renewables, says Chinese business newspaper 21cbh. The two maintenance staff were carrying out work on the turbine’s power converter, which was manufactured by AMSC of the US, sources told the newspaper. AMSC spokesman Jason Fredette says the . . .
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 . . .
