Construction on wind energy plant ongoing despite ban in Çanakkale
Local officials determined that construction had been ongoing despite a ban on the wind energy project in the western province of Çanakkale. “This is how we do all of our work, we start working illegally, pay the fines and then make up the paperwork," the project manager reportedly told the officials.
Seçkin Sağlam / DUVAR
Construction on a wind energy plant in rural parts of the western province of Çanakkale are illegal as they continue despite a ban, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) provincial council member Nejat Önder said.
The area was sealed off after the construction was deemed illegal, but when a provincial environmental commission visited the site, they found that construction was continuing.
“This is how we do all of our work, we start working illegally, pay the fines and then make up the paperwork. Our bosses made the necessary contacts with the Energy Market Regulatory Authority [EPDK], you start the work, we'll take care of the rest, [they say],” a project manager told members of the commission.
The commission determined that 119 parcels of land in the area had been rented out by the company in an unlawful manner that involved threatening and putting pressure on the owners.