[Photo from Ajou Economic DB]
The government is implementing a safety assessment system for aging onshore wind facilities and establishing a framework for their dismantling and recycling. This initiative aims to enhance the safety of wind power installations expanded during the energy transition and to build a sustainable supply foundation.
On June 18, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment held a meeting with the onshore wind industry in Seoul, led by Second Vice Minister Lee Ho-hyun, to unveil the "Strengthening Comprehensive Management of Onshore Wind Power" plan.
The government's decision to enhance management comes amid rising concerns over safety incidents and the increasing number of aging facilities. According to the ministry, as of this year, there are 126 megawatts (80 units) of wind power facilities over 20 years old, accounting for 6% of the total. This number is projected to triple to 355 megawatts (208 units) by 2030. In the past five years, there have been 10 reported wind power accidents, with major incidents including nacelle fires, tower collapses, and blade failures.
Notably, among the 816 operational onshore wind turbines, 198 are from manufacturers that have exited the business, raising concerns about maintenance gaps. The government has developed this plan in response to the increasing number of aging facilities and deteriorating management conditions. To address these issues, a special safety inspection was conducted from April 6 to May 29 on 163 aging wind turbines (26 sites) that have been in operation for over 15 years.
The government will introduce safety assessment procedures for onshore wind facilities that reach 20 years of operation. Power generation companies will be required to conduct detailed safety diagnostics through external specialized organizations, with the Electric Safety Corporation assigning safety ratings from A to C based on the findings.
Facilities rated A, confirmed to be safe, can continue operations. Those rated B, which require repairs or reinforcements, can resume operations after improvements. Conversely, facilities rated C, deemed unsafe, will be halted and subject to review by the Electric Commission, potentially leading to dismantling and revocation of power generation permits.
Safety standards will also be strengthened across the design, operation, and dismantling stages of wind turbines. The government plans to establish distance criteria, create a fire safety consultation system, and promote the installation of nacelle fire detection systems, disaster prevention equipment, tower vibration sensors, and redundancy for key sensors. Additionally, the submission of detailed blade inspection reports will be mandated, and the introduction of non-destructive testing using robots is under consideration.
Considering the high-risk nature of the wind industry, which involves significant heights and electrical and mechanical work, the government will collaborate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to develop safety guidelines for workers. Recommended standards for emergency response equipment and on-site response manuals will be established, along with regular joint training exercises with relevant agencies.
Furthermore, the government will mandate maintenance contracts for wind turbines and enhance cooperation between turbine manufacturers and maintenance companies to improve operational and maintenance capabilities. Regular checks will be conducted to ensure contracts between power generation companies and maintenance specialists are in place, and a certification system for maintenance specialists will be introduced.
The government will also support repowering projects to replace aging facilities with more efficient ones. This will be facilitated through streamlined permitting processes, grid connection support, and expanded financial assistance to promote the transition of aging wind farms.
Additionally, the government plans to support the development of recycling technologies for waste components generated during the dismantling process, such as old blades and nacelles, to establish a resource circulation system. This includes securing recovery technologies for critical minerals like rare earth elements, nickel, and cobalt to contribute to resource security.
This initiative is seen as effectively introducing a "continuing operation review" system for wind turbines by mandating safety assessments for aging facilities to determine their operational viability.
Lee Ho-hyun, the Second Vice Minister, stated, "A management system based on safety and responsibility is essential for the sustainable deployment of onshore wind power. We will work with relevant departments and the industry to implement these measures on the ground and ensure that the expansion of onshore wind power is stable and safety-based."
On June 18, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment held a meeting with the onshore wind industry in Seoul, led by Second Vice Minister Lee Ho-hyun, to unveil the "Strengthening Comprehensive Management of Onshore Wind Power" plan.
The government's decision to enhance management comes amid rising concerns over safety incidents and the increasing number of aging facilities. According to the ministry, as of this year, there are 126 megawatts (80 units) of wind power facilities over 20 years old, accounting for 6% of the total. This number is projected to triple to 355 megawatts (208 units) by 2030. In the past five years, there have been 10 reported wind power accidents, with major incidents including nacelle fires, tower collapses, and blade failures.
Notably, among the 816 operational onshore wind turbines, 198 are from manufacturers that have exited the business, raising concerns about maintenance gaps. The government has developed this plan in response to the increasing number of aging facilities and deteriorating management conditions. To address these issues, a special safety inspection was conducted from April 6 to May 29 on 163 aging wind turbines (26 sites) that have been in operation for over 15 years.
The government will introduce safety assessment procedures for onshore wind facilities that reach 20 years of operation. Power generation companies will be required to conduct detailed safety diagnostics through external specialized organizations, with the Electric Safety Corporation assigning safety ratings from A to C based on the findings.
Facilities rated A, confirmed to be safe, can continue operations. Those rated B, which require repairs or reinforcements, can resume operations after improvements. Conversely, facilities rated C, deemed unsafe, will be halted and subject to review by the Electric Commission, potentially leading to dismantling and revocation of power generation permits.
Safety standards will also be strengthened across the design, operation, and dismantling stages of wind turbines. The government plans to establish distance criteria, create a fire safety consultation system, and promote the installation of nacelle fire detection systems, disaster prevention equipment, tower vibration sensors, and redundancy for key sensors. Additionally, the submission of detailed blade inspection reports will be mandated, and the introduction of non-destructive testing using robots is under consideration.
Considering the high-risk nature of the wind industry, which involves significant heights and electrical and mechanical work, the government will collaborate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to develop safety guidelines for workers. Recommended standards for emergency response equipment and on-site response manuals will be established, along with regular joint training exercises with relevant agencies.
Furthermore, the government will mandate maintenance contracts for wind turbines and enhance cooperation between turbine manufacturers and maintenance companies to improve operational and maintenance capabilities. Regular checks will be conducted to ensure contracts between power generation companies and maintenance specialists are in place, and a certification system for maintenance specialists will be introduced.
The government will also support repowering projects to replace aging facilities with more efficient ones. This will be facilitated through streamlined permitting processes, grid connection support, and expanded financial assistance to promote the transition of aging wind farms.
Additionally, the government plans to support the development of recycling technologies for waste components generated during the dismantling process, such as old blades and nacelles, to establish a resource circulation system. This includes securing recovery technologies for critical minerals like rare earth elements, nickel, and cobalt to contribute to resource security.
This initiative is seen as effectively introducing a "continuing operation review" system for wind turbines by mandating safety assessments for aging facilities to determine their operational viability.
Lee Ho-hyun, the Second Vice Minister, stated, "A management system based on safety and responsibility is essential for the sustainable deployment of onshore wind power. We will work with relevant departments and the industry to implement these measures on the ground and ensure that the expansion of onshore wind power is stable and safety-based."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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