SmartBirds
More than 16,000 people from around the world are taking part in the event, organised by the European wind energy association WindEurope. The conference also includes a BirdLife International delegation with representatives of organisations from 11 countries, including the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB). The main objective of our participation is to highlight the need for responsible protection and restoration of biodiversity in the development of wind energy, both on land and at sea.
Among the questions that representatives of non-governmental organisations are seeking answers to are: what good practices for biodiversity protection are being applied in wind energy development; whether governments can impose environmental safeguards while streamlining project approval processes; what role the wind energy sector can play in nature restoration; whether there is cross-border planning; and how cumulative environmental impacts are being assessed.
At this stage, the main message from the wind energy sector to European institutions is the need to accelerate project approval processes. At the same time, the industry calls for the full implementation of existing legislation, including environmental protection requirements and environmental impact assessments. The sector considers these assessments, strategic planning and the avoidance of conflicts with biodiversity as a standard of good practice and a matter of image and responsibility.
For the time being, more substantial measures are observed mainly in offshore wind farms, where, in addition to systems for protecting birds and marine mammals, habitat restoration measures are also being implemented. From Bulgaria, the conference is attended by business representatives, but not by national institutions. Stay tuned for more insights on the key takeaways from the event and what they mean for wind energy development in Bulgaria.
