MOE Conditionally Approves Wind Turbines in National Parks

An advisory panel of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment (MOE) decided to support a policy on December 15, 2003 to approve the installation of wind power plants in national and quasi-national parks, but only when their impact on landscape and the ecosystem is minimal and the public benefits are particularly big. The advisory panel was established by the MOE to discuss the issue of installing wind power plants in national and quasi-national parks.

Wind power generation is most suited to sites that have a minimum wind velocity of five meters per second throughout the year, a factor that limits the options to elevated locations near coastlines or hilly areas inland. The areas suitable for installation is often scenic, and many have been designated as national or quasi-national parks. These parks account for nine percent of Japan's total area, and therefore play a significant role in conserving the landscape and biodiversity.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to achieve carbon dioxide emission reduction targets pledged under the Kyoto Protocol, the Japanese government's Global Warming Prevention Headquarters has set a goal of generating three million kilowatts from wind power by 2010 in its promotion plan of renewable energy. Against this backdrop, the MOE established the advisory panel in August 2003 to come up with a set of standards to allow wind power generation in national and quasi-national parks.

Special protection and marine park areas that have substantial need for environmental conservation are excluded from being considered as potential wind turbine sites, as well as other areas with vegetation that cannot be restored easily or that have important wild habitat. As for other areas, the MOE will set criteria and consider approving sites when the criteria are met. For example, the installation should not degrade landscape or scenery, the color should blend in to the surrounding environment, the impact on nature should be minimized and should not result in negative impacts on wildlife.




Posted: 2004/02/24 09:13:31 AM
Japanese version