[pp.125-132]
Chanokporn SMUTHKALIN, Takehiko MURAYAMA and Shigeo NISHIKIZAWA (Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Abstract:
This research aims to estimate the environmental impact of wind turbine power plants on nearby communities during operation and the attitude of the hosting community towards future wind turbines by reviewing information on construction procedures. The procedure for gaining permission for a wind turbine power plant is divided into three main phases, but approval does not require preparing an environmental impact assessment report for review in order to obtain the required licenses. Instead, only the opinions of nearby communities, collected through public hearings in the project area, are used. In this study, we consider how after the project is completed and commences operations, these nearby communities are affected by the wind turbine array. We thus analyze data from a field survey of nearby communities and interviews with leaders and community members, including those living in the area for over 10 years, regarding various environmental, social, and quality of life factors. We consider water quality, air quality, noise pollution, increased shade, land utilization, economic impacts, and visual pollution. Focusing on the negative impacts, we show that the nearby communities see noise pollution as the greatest environmental impact of the wind turbines, followed by overshadowing and visual pollution. The community’s attitudes towards future wind turbine power plants are mixed. Community members also express a desire for the government to consider the actual environmental impact of wind turbine power plants after operation.
Key Word:
renewable energy, wind power, environmental and social impacts