Hualien Fenglin District has become a major photovoltaic hub, raising concerns about the impact on agriculture & tourism.

Reporter Cheng-Yu Yang/ Taipei/ 2023.03.09

In recent years, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (GPV) investment has boomed in Fenglin Township, Hualien County. The area of pending and approved projects is estimated to exceed 2,000 hectares, representing approximately one-sixth of the township's total area and larger than Sanchong and Xinzhuang Districts in New Taipei City. Local residents, concerned about the impact on local agriculture and tourism, are calling for more informed scientific research and oversight of the development projects. Regarding two projects involving 300 hectares of poorly forested land, a representative from Taiwan Sugar Corporation explained that these projects have not yet entered into actual development and that they will ensure effective communication with local authorities.

Jiao-Hua Chen, a legislator from the New Power Party, held a press conference today (9th) to convene relevant units for discussion. Ching-Yuan Chen, director of the New Power Party's Hualien Office, pointed out that in recent years, large-scale photovoltaic development projects have been too concentrated in Fenglin Township, and many complaints have been received. According to preliminary estimates, the area of projects under application and approved exceeds 2,000 hectares, which is larger than Sanchong District and Xinzhuang District in New Taipei City, and comparable to Zhonghe District. However, photovoltaic installations may impact two major industries in Hualien County, including agriculture and tourism. Some scholars have warned that photovoltaic installations may affect the original ecology and microclimate. Local business operators are also worried that changes in the landscape may affect tourists' willingness to visit.

Jiao-Hua Chen (center), a legislator from the New Power Party, held a press conference, urging the government not to ignore the impact of renewable energy on the livelihoods of traditional farming and fishing villages, and not to let farmers become double victims of climate disasters. (Photo by reporter Pei-De Luo)

Ching-Yuan Chen called on the government to conduct more cautious assessments in the application process for photovoltaic development, taking into account the impact on agriculture and tourism, and to widely incorporate the opinions of ecologists, while also conducting more substantial scientific investigations and supervision.

Regarding the two parcels of land in Fenglin Township totaling 300 hectares of poor forest appearance being leased to photovoltaic companies, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) Environmental Protection Director Wei-Dong Chen explained that these two parcels of land, located in the Wanli River floodplain, were originally flatland for afforestation. However, due to severe soil erosion, the resulting afforestation has been found to be poor, with few trees and poor soil fertility. Both parcels are currently in the design and planning stages and have not yet entered actual development. If development proceeds, thorough communication with the local authorities will be ensured. The companies will be asked to hold a local briefing before submitting the application to the Hualien County Government.

Xiu-Yun Luo , Chief of the Afforestation Production Section of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FNCA) of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), stated that after the agency's 2020 inventory of all flatland afforestation land, the agency classified it into two categories: locations with ecological habitat value and locations suitable for agricultural production. Following the 2021 announcement of the inventory results, the agency also sent a letter to TSC stating that land with ecological habitat value should not be planned for photovoltaic development. Regarding other locations suitable for agricultural production, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to convert them back to agricultural use for food security and agricultural development, subject to subsequent guidance.

Regarding the areas TSC cited as poor forest conditions, Xiu-Yun Luo explained that based on FNCA's inventory and an assessment of local environmental conditions, the company hopes to evaluate land prone to flooding, soil erosion, and exposed gravel for photovoltaic use. TSC originally requested approximately 1,000 hectares, but after submitting the request to the Planning Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, over 600 hectares was held and to be carefully re-evaluated.

Hsiu-Wan Cai, Senior Technical Officer and Section Chief of the Agricultural Land Use Division of the Planning Department of the MOA, stated that MOA is promoting green energy in agriculture in line with national renewable energy policies. Adhering to the principles of prioritizing agriculture and adding value to green energy, the Ministry is promoting this policy without impacting farmers' rights, agricultural and fishery development, or the ecological environment. To prevent conflicts between solar photovoltaic installations and agricultural land use, MOA has been strengthening regulations. This included amending the Key Points for Agricultural Land Usage Alteration Operations on July 31, 2020. To prevent sporadic photovoltaic installations from disrupting agricultural land use, MOA now prohibits installations of less than two hectares.

Cai also mentioned that changes to agricultural land exceeding two hectares must go through the review process of the Regional Planning Commission, but those below a certain size are delegated to the county, city, and district committees for review. To strengthen the review process for photovoltaic development, the review level for areas between 2 and 30 hectares will be elevated from the local level to the central agricultural unit, hoping to provide more rigorous scrutiny of these cases.

Liberty Times Net:

Hualien Fenglin District has become a major photovoltaic hub, raising concerns about the impact on agriculture & tourism.

https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/4234766