Titel: EU Guidance on wind energy development in accordance with the EU nature legislation
Författare/Author: European Commission
Utgivare/Publisher: European Commission
Årtal/Year: October 2010
Sökord: Guidance, Habitats Directives, Birds Directives, Nature conservation, Project planning
Rapport (PDF)
Sammanfattning/Summary: In December 2008, the EU adopted an ambitious and far-reaching ‘climate change and energy’ package which, amongst others, commits the EU-27 countries to increasing the share of renewable energy to 20% of Europe’s total energy production by 2020. As a clean, renewable source of electricity, wind energy is destined to make a significant contribution to achieving this 20% target. Wind energy in Europe has been growing rapidly over the last decade. In 2008, it accounted for around 4.8% of the EU’s total electricity consumption.
This share is expected to at least triple by 2020. It is clear therefore that the number of wind farm installations across the EU is likely to increase radically in the short to medium term. It will be important to ensure that such a rapid expansion is sustainable in all respects and is done in accordance with EU environmental legislation, including the Habitats and Birds Directives.Evidence to date shows that, whereas, in general, wind energy does not represent a serious threat to wildlife, poorly sited or designed wind farms can pose a potential threat to vulnerable species and habitats, including those protected under the Habitats and Birds Directives.
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on how best to ensure that wind energy developments are compatible with the provisions of the Habitats and Birds Directives. It focusses in particular on the procedures to follow under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive when dealing with wind farm related plans and projects which could affect a Natura 2000 site and provides clarifications on certain key aspects of this approval process. The Habitats Directive does not, a priori, exclude wind farm developments in or adjacent to Natura 2000 sites.
These need to be judged on a case by case basis. As such, the document is designed principally for use by competent authorities and developers, as well as consultants, site managers and other practitioners who are involved in the planning, design, implementation or approval of wind farms plans or projects. It may also be of interest to other organisations such as NGOs and international bodies. During the course of its preparation, the document benefitted greatly from discussions with, and information supplied by, experts from Member States and key stakeholder groups, within the framework of an ad hoc group on wind energy and nature conservation.