The slope of the Heshan Photovoltaic Power Plant in Dashu District, Kaohsiung, slipped. The Water Conservancy Bureau is scheduled to improve it by the end of November.

Kaohsiung City Water Conservancy Bureau investigates the drainage situation of Dashu District and Shanguang Electric Power Plant. (Provided by Kaohsiung City Government)

Heavy rains in August caused slope slides at the Heshan Optoelectronic Power Plant in Dashu District, Kaohsiung City. The Water Conservancy Bureau monitored and controlled the situation during the rainfall. In September, surveys confirmed that some shallow slopes had slid. The industry was required to use ecological construction methods to stabilize the slopes and prevent soil erosion. The deadline was to complete improvements by the end of November.

The Heshan photovoltaic farm development project in Dashu District covers an area of ​​51 hectares. The first phase of the project has been completed with the erection of solar panels. The construction permit for the second phase of the project was revoked due to excessive reclamation and the water conservation plan was revoked. The Water Conservancy Bureau required the operator to restore vegetation cover to a piece of loess and do a good job in soil and water conservation.

Kaohsiung was hit by torrential rains in August, which lasted for 18 days and accumulated 1,712 millimeters of rain. This caused the natural slopes of the first-phase project and the excavation slopes of the second-phase project to slide. Fortunately, no casualties were caused. Local residents were worried that the disaster would expand and might block drainage and be affected. They asked the operators to improve, and the city government set up an early warning mechanism.

The Water Conservancy Bureau said that the Heshan Optoelectronic Power Plant is about 600 meters away from the community. During the rainfall period from August to September, it continued to monitor and understand the slope conditions of the electric field. In September, a survey confirmed that there was shallow sliding on some slopes. It was determined that the operator had not done a good job in soil and water conservation, and the on-site requirement was to complete improvements before November 30.

The Water Conservancy Bureau said that the current surface slope is slipping, and it has asked the operator to make improvements. To ensure the safety of the slope, the operator is required to use gabions to retain soil in the sliding area using ecological construction methods to form a retaining wall to stabilize the slope, and then cover it with a vegetation net to prevent water and soil erosion, and implement soil and water conservation treatment and facility maintenance.

The Water Conservancy Bureau has also strengthened inspections, continuously monitored on-site conditions, and urged operators to complete the work within limits to minimize disaster risks. Operators have also installed multiple monitors on site and are connected to the district chief's office to facilitate local viewing and supervision.