1. Update of Guidance document on Wind ENErgy and natura 2000
NADEG meeting
22-23 May 2018
Christina Pantazi
Unit D.3 – Nature Protection
DG ENVIRONMENT

2. 2 years project (Dec 2017 – Dec 2019)
REVIEWING AND MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS ON SPECIES AND HABITATS PROTECTED UNDER THE BIRDS AND HABITATS DIRECTIVES
2 years project (Dec 2017 – Dec 2019)
Aim: understand better the impacts of RE on protected species and habitats (mainly birds, bats, marine mammals)
Covers all forms of RE (exc. hydropower and transmission infrastructure)
Contractor: Arcadis (IEEP, NIRAS, Ecosystems Ltd, Birdlife Europe, Stella consulting, Expert on marine mammals)

3. Objectives
to provide specific information on and an understanding of the potential direct and indirect impacts that the different forms of renewable energy developments (wind, solar, ocean, geothermal energy as well as bioenergy) may have on habitats and species protected under the EU legislation and to suggest concrete ways of mitigating them.
to provide outputs to help overcome obstacles that often appear during the permitting procedures of renewable energy developments in MS, arising from insufficient scientific knowledge of the impacts of the developments on the protected species and habitats, as well as of the available mitigation measures.

4. Scope of study – relevant Tasks
T1 - Evaluation of decision – making process in MS – Questionnaires and country visits T2-Review and update of existing EU guidance on wind energy developments and Natura 2000 T3 -Review potential impacts of other RE sources on species and habitats and present effective mitigation strategies T4 – Toolkit with options, criteria and methodology necessary for the preparation of wildlife sensitivity maps T5 – Analyze potential impacts of bioenergy developments on protected species and habitats and propose mitigation measures T6- Organize events in Member States to present and discuss the overall outputs of the contract and inform authorities and relevant stakeholders

5. Task 2: Review and update of the existing "EU guidance on wind energy developments and Natura 2000”
Objective: To provide update of the 2011 EU “Guidance on wind energy developments and Natura 2000” - New policy, new technological developments, cover offshore developments (
Aim: Adoption of updated guidance by end of 2019

6. Activity 2 - Review of Impacts (including cumulative)
Activity 1 - Review of Policy and Legislation
A comprehensive review of existing EU policy and legislation relevant to the development of renewable energy projects and environmental protection.
Focus on changes in legal context and the developments in the wind energy industry since 2011; including the evolving 2030 framework.
Activity 2 - Review of Impacts (including cumulative)
Focus on:
key ecological receptors most likely to be affected in construction, operation and decommissioning: Birds, Bats, Marine Mammals, Coastal and marine habitats
consideration of new technologies (esp. offshore) and design trends with potential for future introduction.

7. Activity 3 - Review of Mitigation Measures
Literature review complemented by interviews under Task 1
Review of the adoption of strategic planning approaches to wind energy development in MS
Review of the adoption of mitigation measures by wind energy developers identified in different MS.
Activity 4 - Review of Appropriate Assessment Procedures in MS
Review of the procedural steps followed by different MS to complete an AA, and the use of existing EU guidance
Country-specific guidance and completed AAs will be reviewed.

8. Relevant tasks – State of Play
Task 1: Evaluation of shortcomings in decision–making on the planning/authorisation of renewable energy projects
Aim: Identification of the challenges faced by Member States throughout the whole procedure and possible ways of addressing them.
Activities
One-to-one telephone interviews with +/ 10 to 12 stakeholders in 20 MS – (June – July 2018) – Questions on RE and the use of the guidance document
In-depth workshops with stakeholders in 8 MS (Autumn 2018)
Task 6: Events in Member States to present and discuss the overall outputs of the contract and inform authorities and relevant stakeholders – Autumn 2019

9. Procedure to follow for the update of the guidance
First draft guidance document by end 2018
Consultations with MS and stakeholders on draft document – first half 2019
Finalisation and adoption of guidance document by end 2019