On 17 October, the Ministry of Ecological Environment (MEE) announced a public consultation on new environmental protection measures for land-based wind and solar energy projects.
The proposed regulations introduce guidelines for managing projects based on their capacity and environmental sensitivity. Projects exceeding 200,000 kilowatts (kW) or located in environmentally sensitive areas will be required to prepare comprehensive Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs). Large-scale solar and wind projects, such as centralised photovoltaic plants of over 6,000 kW, must submit an EIR Form, while smaller photovoltaic systems need only submit a registration form. Notably, solar installations on buildings and residential properties are exempt from these requirements.
Additionally, the draft regulation outlines a tiered approval process in which smaller projects can be approved by local authorities. Projects over 500,000 kW will require provincial-level approval, while those exceeding 2 million kW will be reviewed directly by the MEE.
The draft regulation also aims to streamline the environmental review process by encouraging authorities to evaluate projects holistically, taking into account supporting infrastructure such as access roads and transmission lines.
In recent decades, wind and solar power have expanded significantly in response to global climate change, but concerns about their environmental impacts are emerging. A recent report by the Shan Shui Conservation Center highlights the extensive land use required for renewable energy development, which can lead to biodiversity loss if not managed carefully.
The report also indicates that the effectiveness of current regulations is constrained by inadequate data and limited stakeholder engagement. Many environmental assessments lack thorough biodiversity baseline surveys and scientific evaluations, often resulting in an underestimation of ecological impacts. According to the report, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration noted in 2022 that wind energy development has encroached on vital migratory bird habitats, disrupting migration routes.
To address these issues, the report recommends implementing a mitigation hierarchy – of avoidance, minimisation, restoration, and compensation – to minimise biodiversity impacts, and utilising sensitivity maps to avoid critical migratory bird areas during planning.
The MEE’s public consultation will run until November 18.
Read Dialogue Earth’s earlier analysis of the impact of light pollution on migratory birds.