Doosan Heavy’s offshore wind farm on Jeju (Yonhap)
YEOSU, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — A group of fishermen in the southern port of Yeosu are strongly protesting against an offshore wind farm project, claiming that it would devastate the region’s fishing zones, while menacing their right to live.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy recently approved the offshore wind farm project consisting of 36 units of 8-megawatt (MW) power generators that is now underway in the neighborhood of Gwangdo Island in Yeosu.
The ministry is known to have given the project the green light after reviewing the business plan presented by the project developer in consideration of the environment and resident acceptance.
The project developer is scheduled to apply for the approval for the use of public waters after passing the environment impact assessment and holding an explanatory briefing session for residents.
After the news was released that the ministry approved the project, the fishermen in the region vowed to take strong action against it.
Before the ministry approved the project, the region’s 23 fishermen groups sent official letters three times to the ministry to express their opposition against the project.
“Geomundo Island and Gwangdo Island are golden fishing grounds, with about 800 fishing boats registered in Yeosu operating therein. If they cannot operate there any longer, they will lose more than 100 billion won (US$88 million) per year.” said Noh Pyeong-woo, head of the fishermen groups.
“We don’t know why an offshore wind farm needs to be built in an area with abundant fish resources.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
