Residents in misery as wind turbines placed in wrong locations in north-central Vietnam
Friday, December 22, 2023, 18:20 GMT+7
Residents' lives have been disrupted as about 20 turbines were placed in the wrong locations at a wind farm in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam.
Many wind turbines at the Huong Linh 1 and 2 wind power project sites developed by Tan Hoan Cau Corporation Joint Stock Company were erected too close to residents’ houses, causing serious noise disturbances to the local families.
Ho Van To, 70, and his family in Huong Linh Commune, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province have had their lives disrupted over the past four years due to a turbine located just 100 meters from their home.
The blades of the turbine make loud noises as they spin at night, causing significant disturbances to the family's sleep and overall well-being, To complained.
The turbines have also led to poor harvests, he added.
“Cassava cannot grow, melaleuca trees are more undersized and stunted than normal, and fruit trees yield no fruits,” To elaborated.
|
|
| Hoang Van To and his family in Huong Linh Commune, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam are worried about living close to a wind turbine. Photo: Hoang Tao / Tuoi Tre |
Ho Khua, another local resident, whose house is also approximately 100 meters from a wind turbine, said that the productivity of his rice field had fallen by 50 percent.
He also shared To’s displeasure at having his family’s sleep schedule shattled by noise from the turbines, particularly on rainy days.
In August last year, families who live near the turbines went from frustrated to scared when a two-meter cap from one of the devices plummeted to the ground. While no one was injured, locals have been on tenterhooks.
|
|
| The productivity of a rice field has fallen by half due to wind turbines. Photo: Hoang Tao / Tuoi Tre |
Huong Hoa District authorities have asked relevant bodies and Tan Hoan Cau Corporation Joint Stock Company to relocate the affected households so that they can resume normal lives.
Pursuant to Vietnam’s regulations, wind turbines must be at least 300 meters from residential areas.
However, Tan Hoan Cau Corporation Joint Stock Company’s wind power projects were put into operation when the regulation had yet to be issued.
Earlier, inspectors of the Quang Tri Department of Natural Resources and Environment fined the company over VND600 million (US$24,607) for placing 21 of its 30 wind turbines in the wrong places.
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
