Nature protection and wind farm development in Serbia

Dr. sc. Toni SafnerIRES ekologija

Purpose of the document

Prepare a guidance document about integration of biodiversity and nature conservation principles in development of the wind energy sector

Serbia today

One of the biodiversity centers of Europe hosting 43.3% of allexisting European species

The obligation to reach the target of 27% of energy originating from RES in gross final energy consumption by 2020

1. Legislative framework for windpower sector and nature protection in the EU and Serbia

2. Development of the wind power sector in Serbia -status and outlook

3. Potential impacts of wind farms on environment, habitats and species

4. Socio-economic framework for wind farm development

5. Social and environmental requriements matrix

6. Best practices and actions to mitigate the impacts of wind farms

7. Wind farm positive and negative impacts matrix and project categorisation

8. Environmental impact monitoring plan

9. Recommendations

Legislative framework (EU)

Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources

The Birds DirectiveThe Habitats DirectiveNatura 2000 (Appropriate assesment)

Environmental Impact Assessment DirectiveStrategic Environmental Assessment Directive

Legislative framework (Serbia)

Law on Planning and Construction, Law on Spatial Planning of the Republic of Serbia from 2010 to 2020

Law on Environmental Protection, Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, Law on Nature Protection

Energy Development Strategy for the Republic of Serbia until 2105, The Energy Law

Potential impacts of wind farms on environment, habitats and species

Direct loss of habitat Habitat degradation and fragmentationNoise and flicker

High risk of negative impacts on birds and bats (migration corridors, areas with high density of raptors, wetland habitats, around roosting or hibernating sites for bats…)

Cooperation with Natural History Museum, Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia and Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province

Best practices and actions to mitigate the impacts of wind farms

Strategic positioning outside the potential zones of negative impacts (protected areas, ecological network areas and areas important for birds and bats)

Strategic assessments of environmental impact of spatial plans and special purpose plans (e.g. National Action Plan for renewable energy sources)

Strategically located and evaluated projects are less likely to be disputed in the stage of environmental impact assessment

Other specific mitigation measures

Good and bad practice examples from Scotland and Croatia

Monitoring plan suggestions

Reccomendations (as in 2013)

harmonization of legislation (change of the 2 year deadline for keeping the temporary status of privileged power Producer, implementation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before issuing the location permit…)

positive communication between investors and local stakeholders, consultations with the relevant institutes for nature conservation (Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia or Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province)

strategic environmental impact assessment for spatial plans that include wind farms, to avoid locations with high risk for birds or bats)

Thanks to:

Ministry of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection

Ministry of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning

Provincial Secretariat for Urban Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection

Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia

Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province

Natural History Museum

Serbian Wind Energy Association

UNDP

…and to You!