[Photo from Ajou Economic DB]
The government is implementing a safety assessment system for aging onshore wind turbines and establishing a framework for their decommissioning and recycling. This initiative aims to enhance the safety of wind energy facilities expanded during the energy transition and to build a sustainable supply base.
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 Measures for Onshore Wind Power."
The government's move to enhance management comes in response to the increasing number of aging facilities and growing safety concerns. According to the ministry, as of this year, there are 126 megawatts (80 units) of wind turbines over 20 years old, accounting for 6% of the total. This number is expected to triple to 355 megawatts (208 units) by 2030. In the past five years, there have been 10 reported accidents in wind power generation, with major incidents including nacelle fires, tower collapses, and blade failures.
Among the 816 operational onshore wind turbines, 198 are from manufacturers that have exited the business, raising concerns about maintenance gaps. In response to the increase in aging facilities and deteriorating management conditions, the government has developed this new plan. To that end, 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 inspections through external specialized organizations, and the Electric Safety Corporation will assign safety ratings from A to C based on the findings.
Facilities rated A, which are confirmed to be safe, can continue operations, while B-rated facilities, which require repairs or reinforcements, can resume operation after improvements. Conversely, C-rated facilities, which do not meet safety standards, will be halted and may face decommissioning and revocation of power generation permits following a review by the Electric Commission.
Safety standards will also be strengthened across all stages of wind turbine design, operation, and decommissioning. The government plans to establish distance criteria, create a fire safety consultation system, and promote the installation of nacelle fire detection devices, disaster prevention equipment, tower vibration monitors, and dual sensors for critical components. The submission of detailed inspection reports for blades and the introduction of non-destructive testing using robots are also under consideration.
Considering the high-risk nature of the wind industry, which involves significant height and electrical and mechanical work, the government will collaborate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to develop safety guidelines for workers. Recommendations for emergency response equipment standards and the establishment of on-site response manuals will be implemented, along with regular joint training with relevant agencies.
Additionally, the government will mandate maintenance contracts for wind turbines and expand cooperation between turbine manufacturers and maintenance companies to enhance operational and maintenance capabilities. Regular checks will be conducted on whether power generation companies have contracts with specialized maintenance firms, and a certification system for maintenance companies will be introduced.
The government will also support repowering projects that replace aging facilities with high-efficiency ones. This will include streamlining permitting processes, providing grid connection support, and expanding financial assistance to facilitate the transition of aging wind farms.
Furthermore, the government plans to support the development of recycling technologies for waste components generated during the decommissioning process, such as blades and nacelles, to establish a resource circulation system. This includes securing technologies for recovering critical minerals like rare earth elements, nickel, and cobalt, contributing 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 Measures for Onshore Wind Power."
The government's move to enhance management comes in response to the increasing number of aging facilities and growing safety concerns. According to the ministry, as of this year, there are 126 megawatts (80 units) of wind turbines over 20 years old, accounting for 6% of the total. This number is expected to triple to 355 megawatts (208 units) by 2030. In the past five years, there have been 10 reported accidents in wind power generation, with major incidents including nacelle fires, tower collapses, and blade failures.
Among the 816 operational onshore wind turbines, 198 are from manufacturers that have exited the business, raising concerns about maintenance gaps. In response to the increase in aging facilities and deteriorating management conditions, the government has developed this new plan. To that end, 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 inspections through external specialized organizations, and the Electric Safety Corporation will assign safety ratings from A to C based on the findings.
Facilities rated A, which are confirmed to be safe, can continue operations, while B-rated facilities, which require repairs or reinforcements, can resume operation after improvements. Conversely, C-rated facilities, which do not meet safety standards, will be halted and may face decommissioning and revocation of power generation permits following a review by the Electric Commission.
Safety standards will also be strengthened across all stages of wind turbine design, operation, and decommissioning. The government plans to establish distance criteria, create a fire safety consultation system, and promote the installation of nacelle fire detection devices, disaster prevention equipment, tower vibration monitors, and dual sensors for critical components. The submission of detailed inspection reports for blades and the introduction of non-destructive testing using robots are also under consideration.
Considering the high-risk nature of the wind industry, which involves significant height and electrical and mechanical work, the government will collaborate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to develop safety guidelines for workers. Recommendations for emergency response equipment standards and the establishment of on-site response manuals will be implemented, along with regular joint training with relevant agencies.
Additionally, the government will mandate maintenance contracts for wind turbines and expand cooperation between turbine manufacturers and maintenance companies to enhance operational and maintenance capabilities. Regular checks will be conducted on whether power generation companies have contracts with specialized maintenance firms, and a certification system for maintenance companies will be introduced.
The government will also support repowering projects that replace aging facilities with high-efficiency ones. This will include streamlining permitting processes, providing grid connection support, and expanding financial assistance to facilitate the transition of aging wind farms.
Furthermore, the government plans to support the development of recycling technologies for waste components generated during the decommissioning process, such as blades and nacelles, to establish a resource circulation system. This includes securing technologies for recovering critical minerals like rare earth elements, nickel, and cobalt, contributing 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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