TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Dacheng Township residents in Changhua County staged a protest on Wednesday (Nov. 6) outside the township office building, opposing the ongoing wind turbine construction project by Changpin Wind Power.
The project, which involves the installation of 13 wind turbines along the banks of the Jhuoshuei River, has sparked opposition from local communities. After receiving a work permit from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) for four turbines, Changpin Wind Power began construction, but the project has faced resistance due to concerns about their proximity to residential areas and potential environmental risks, per CNA.
Dacheng Township Councilor Tsai Hsin-cheng (蔡新徵), who has organized several protests since September, voiced his concerns alongside Dongguan Village Chief Tsai Ching-wu (蔡慶伍) and residents. Tsai cited two primary issues: the low-frequency noise from the turbines, which he said could disrupt the quality of life for nearby residents, and the risk of oil leaks contaminating local farmland.
Additionally, Tsai criticized the lack of communication between the developer and the local community, which has contributed to growing frustration.
Expressing support for the residents, Dacheng Township Mayor Chen Yu-chao (陳玉照) called on Changpin Wind Power to engage in more transparent communication with locals and forwarded their concerns to the county government. Chen also noted that the wind turbine project would require approval from both the central and local governments and would involve the installation of underground cables to connect the turbines to the power grid, per UDN.
In response, the Changhua County Department of Economic and Renewable Energy confirmed that the wind turbine project had already been approved by the MOEA. However, the county government urged Changpin Wind Power to improve communication with the community and asked the MOEA to consider creating regulations to address the concerns of residents living near the turbines.
The Changhua County Government emphasized that the planning, construction, and operation of power grid projects are managed by the central government.