Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recommends Saitama Prefecture's mega solar project. Request for significant improvement in environmental protection measures
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is requesting "Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar" to drastically review the plan, saying that measures for environmental conservation are insufficient. With the large-scale deforestation and land reclamation, it was recommended to improve the explanation to the residents and the introduction of embankments.
Pointed out that environmental protection measures are inadequate
Extensive deforestation and large embankments
On February 22, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry requested a drastic review of the plan for "Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar," which Ogawa Energy LLC plans to develop in Ogawamachi, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture. Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar had a large-scale deforestation and embankment plan for its development, but it was judged that sufficient environmental protection measures were not taken for this plan, and this recommendation was reached.
In the construction plan of Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar submitted by Ogawa Energy GK, a large-scale embankment to fill the valley was planned. The area of the power plant is about 86 hectares. The required amount of embankment was estimated to be about 720,000 cubic meters, and it was planned to bring in about half of this amount of earth and sand from other areas. The amount of this embankment is said to be about 10 times that of the sediment-related disaster that occurred in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture in July 2021.
In the opinion written by the Governor of Saitama Prefecture and the Ministry of the Environment submitted in advance, concerns about vibration and noise to neighboring houses have been pointed out because more than 300 construction vehicles make a round trip a day due to the introduction of earth and sand. rice field. In addition, it was also suspected that the planned construction site of the power plant might have a purpose other than the power generation business because there was a plan to construct a landfill site before.
Recommendations after the revision of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act
A drastic review of the plan is required
With the revision of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (Environmental Impact Assessment Act) in April 2020, solar power plants of 30 MW or more are also subject to environmental assessment. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act is a system that publishes surveys and evaluations conducted by businesses regarding the environmental impact of the development of power plants, etc., and solicits opinions widely.
Environmental impact assessment is required for Type 1 projects of 40 MW or more, and for Type 2 projects of 30 to less than 40 MW, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry decides whether or not environmental assessment is necessary. The Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar, which the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has issued a recommendation this time, has an output of 39.6 MW and falls under the category of Type 2 project.
In the environmental assessment, the plan is announced in advance in the "Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology", the assessment is carried out, and the results are reported in the "Environmental Impact Assessment Preparation Form". The Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar Method Manual was accepted by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in April 2020, and the preparatory document was accepted in April 2021 after conducting an environmental assessment.
Saitama Ogawamachi Mega Solar needs to improve the points recommended by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and compile an "Environmental Impact Assessment Preparation Form". Specifically, in addition to explaining to related parties and local residents, it is requested to review the construction plan and carry in earth and sand.
