Wind Power News: Korea
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.
Safety crackdown after string of fires hit wind and solar batteries
South Korea has ordered a string of extra safety measures after a months-long investigation into 23 fires at battery energy storage systems (ESS), most linked to wind and solar plants. Government officials blamed a range of factors for the blazes, which broke out over the course of a year and prompted the suspension of more than 500 ESS facilities in the country. South Korea is among the leaders in lithium-ion ESS technology globally thanks to the success of suppliers such . . . Complete story »
Fishermen oppose S. Korea’s first floating wind turbine project
SEOUL – South Korea’s first energy project to build a cluster of floating wind power turbines around an offshore gas platform that reached the end of its life boggled at a minority report from fishermen who have opposed the construction of large industrial facilities at their operating zone without a full evaluation of environmental effects. Initially, Ulsan City Mayor Song Chul-ho had proposed a pilot project to build a floating structure with a capacity of 750 kilowatts. If the first turbine . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines destroy local farming village
HONGGGYE-RI, North Gyeongsang Province – Jusan is considered holy by people living in a small farming village in Honggye-ri, North Gyeongsang Province. Rising just a few hundred meters behind the village, the pine tree-clad mountain is where people traditionally pray for a son. “We see beauty in nature every day,” 62-year-old Park Chung-lak, who grows apples in the village, said on a recent afternoon. “And it needs respect and admiration.” The top of the mountain is destined to be destroyed to . . . Complete story »
Residents turn against wind turbine projects along Baekdudaegan Mt. Range
Discontent among residents living near Baekdudaegan – the mountain range that snakes through the heart of the Korean peninsula – is on the rise concerning the growing presence of wind turbines in the area. Approximately 40 percent of the nation’s wind energy production is generated from the east and southeastern regions. As of February, 26.9 percent of the nation’s 939,126 MW produced were from plants located in Gangwon Province. The remainder of the 40 percent is generated by wind turbines located . . . Complete story »
Uiryeong locals occupy wind turbine construction site in protest
A protest against the development of a wind power complex around Hanu Mountain and Maebong Mountain in Uiryeong County, Gyeongsangnam-do has been continuing for two weeks at the construction site. About 10 to 30 locals are occupying the site, delaying the construction. Most of them are aged, leading to concerns about their health under continuous exposure to the hot sun. Wind power company Unison’s subsidiary Uiryeong Wind Power started logging two mountains and building an access road in April as . . . Complete story »
Samsung winds down European wind activities
Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has shut two of its wind energy offices in Europe and is downsizing its wind business in Korea. It is unclear what whill happen with SHI’s 7MW turbine It is unclear what whill happen with SHI’s 7MW turbine A spokesperson confirmed that SHI has shut down wind activities at its Hamburg and London offices, but denied that the company was pulling out of wind altogether. “We are now downsizing the [wind] business based on our new . . . Complete story »
