South Gyeongsang Province to inspect all 48 onshore wind turbines at 7 complexes

South Gyeongsang Province announced Wednesday that it will conduct a joint safety inspection of all onshore wind power complexes in the province through Oct. 30 to strengthen fire prevention and safety management at wind energy facilities.

The inspection was prompted by a rise in aging turbines — those more than 10 years old now account for 76 percent of the provincial wind fleet — and a fire at a wind complex in February, which highlighted the need to identify hazards in advance and prevent similar accidents.

The inspection period runs from Monday through Oct. 30. The province has assembled a joint inspection team comprising civil servants from local governments, the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation and fire departments to carry out a comprehensive review of all operating onshore wind complexes in the province.

Seven onshore wind complexes are currently in operation across three cities and counties in the province, with a combined capacity of 48 turbines (97 megawatts). By area: five sites with 16 turbines (64 MW) in Yangsan; one site with 25 turbines (18.8 MW) in Uiryeong-gun; and one site with seven turbines (14 MW) in Geochang-gun.

Key inspection items include foundation settlement and cracking at tower bases and the condition of anchor bolt fastenings; noise and vibration checks on blades and nacelles; insulation of switchboards at electrical facilities, installation of high-voltage safety signs and the condition of alert fencing; and whether electrical safety managers have been appointed, inspection records maintained and emergency contact networks established.

For minor issues identified during the inspection, the province will order on-site corrections immediately. If serious hazards are found, it will pursue necessary measures — including repairs and restoration — in accordance with relevant laws. The province also plans to update fire response manuals and emergency protocols for each complex so that fire departments and other relevant agencies can rapidly activate recovery systems when an emergency arises.

Kwon Dae-hyeok, head of the province's energy industry division, said the province would "do its utmost to protect the lives and property of residents through thorough inspections of all wind power facilities and strengthened prevention systems."