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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Syrians in Golan reiterate rejection of Israeli scheme to build wind turbines on their land
Occupied Syrian Golan, SANA- Syrian citizens in the Golan, occupied by “Israel” since 1967, said on Saturday that they would not bargain over their rights or abandon grain of land in the Golan, as they considered an integral part of Syria. During a protest in Al-Marj area located between the villages of Masada and Majdal Shams, the people of Golan reiterated their categorical rejection of the occupier’s new proposals through which the plan for wind turbines is trying to pass. . . . Complete story »
A week after nod, Neemuch wind power project withdrawn
A week after Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor-in-council approved 15 MW wind power project in Neemuch, the proposal was withdrawn before being placed before the 85-member BMC council, here on Saturday. Also located in Neemuch some 425 km from Bhopal, status of two BMC solar power projects with a capacity of 10 MW is also in limbo. During the third council meeting since election, Bhopal mayor Malti Rai did not place the proposal for approval of the council. Later BMC officials said . . . Complete story »
‘Fishermen kept in dark about tidal wind power plants’
The former Moon Jae-in administration withheld a government-commissioned study that warned of damage to the fisheries industry from the planned construction of tidal wind power plants, a ruling party lawmaker said Monday. The study by the Korea Energy Agency in March of last year concluded that the initiative of the former administration to build 68 such plants with a combined capacity of 15.6 gigawatts in coastal regions would significantly undermine the livelihoods of over 121,000 residents, according to Rep. Ku . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind farm plans face strong headwinds
Ambitious offshore wind farm projects in Korea are facing strong headwinds from local residents and the fishery industry citing the possible impact of the projects on the environment and fisheries. In a deadlock, both the energy and fishery industries are calling for the government to fill in regulatory loopholes in the process of obtaining consent from local residents. Korea has been deemed a promising market for offshore wind farms by energy companies both home and abroad amid the accelerating transition . . . Complete story »
Ministry proposes halt on offshore wind surveys
The ministry said developing offshore wind power was appropriate to the orientation of sustainable marine economy development and the commitment at COP26 to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. HÀ NỘI The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed a temporary halt on appraisal and approval for the surveying of offshore wind power projects due to a number of legal and technical problems. The ministry said that it had received many proposals about offshore wind power surveying, including wind . . . Complete story »
Residents, fishery industry push back against offshore wind farm plans
Ambitious offshore wind farm projects in Korea are facing strong headwinds from local residents and the fishery industry citing the possible impact of the projects on the environment and fisheries. In a deadlock, both the energy and fishery industries are calling for the government to fill in regulatory loopholes in the process of obtaining consent from local residents. Korea has been deemed a promising market for offshore wind farms by energy companies both home and abroad amid the accelerating transition . . . Complete story »
‘I couldn’t get a TV signal’: The hidden downside of wind turbines in Japan’s Akita Pref.
AKITA – Wind power generation is being introduced across Japan both onshore and offshore as a pillar in the shift to renewable energy as a leading source of power. But the size of the wind turbines, which can tower as high as some tall buildings, and the rotation of their huge blades can apparently cause disruptions when they stand in the way of communication waves essential in people’s lives today. The city of Katagami in Akita Prefecture, which faces the Sea . . . Complete story »
‘The Sacrifice Zone’: Myanmar bears cost of green energy
The birds no longer sing, and the herbs no longer grow. The fish no longer swim in rivers that have turned a murky brown. The animals do not roam, and the cows are sometimes found dead. The people in this northern Myanmar forest have lost a way of life that goes back generations. But if they complain, they, too, face the threat of death. This forest is the source of several key metallic elements known as rare earths, often called . . . Complete story »
Illegal rare earth mining harms environment in Myanmar’s Kachin state
Unregulated mining of rare earth minerals in Myanmar’s Kachin state for export to nearby China is irreparably damaging the environment, local watchdogs in the northern state told RFA. Myanmar exported more than 140,000 tons of rare earth deposits to China, worth more than U.S. $1 billion between May 2017 and October 2021, a statement from China’s State Taxation Administration said. Since Myanmar’s military wrested control of the country from Myanmar’s democratically elected government more than a year ago, exports to . . . Complete story »
New evidence shows massive and rapid expansion of illicit rare earths industry in Myanmar, fuelling human rights abuses, environmental destruction and funding military-linked militias
New satellite analysis from Global Witness reveals over 2,700 rare earth mining sites in northern Myanmar by March 2022, covering an area the size of Singapore. Myanmar now world’s biggest source of supply of heavy rare earths, used in green energy technologies including electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well as smartphones and home electronics. Illegal rare earth mines in northern Myanmar poisoning surrounding land and waterways, harming local communities, wildlife and environment. Mines are funding military-linked militias that control . . . Complete story »
