Friends of the Earth, Ecologists in Action, Greenpeace, SEO/BirdLife and WWF propose offshore wind energy in Spain that environmental and social aspects are the most important criteria in auctions (50% and 25% respectively).
Las environmental organizations They propose the creation of a public fund for local socio-economic development, fueled by compensation for the generation of each project.
They also ask to reject all projects outside the areas identified in the maritime space planning plans with high potential for the development of the offshore wind energy and sequence developments.
And at the same time, they ask the government to continue accelerating the expansion of the network of marine protected spaces to cover 30% of national waters by 2030, and efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
In a concerted effort to a ecological transition in SpainFriends of the Earth, Ecologists in Action, Greenpeace, SEO/BirdLife and WWF have one groundbreaking proposal for a regulatory framework that guarantees the fair and sustainable use of offshore wind energy.
Las environmental organizations have shared the document with the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, which outlines the regulatory framework of the sea breeze. Given the complexity and limitations of the environmental information available on many marine areas, They propose to initially concentrate the auctions on one or two areas with high potential for offshore wind energy development (ZAPER).
Proposals from environmental organizations for the use of offshore wind energy in Spain
This strategy will make it possible to more accurately address potential negative environmental and social impacts in these areas. It will also facilitate the government and promoting companies to actively coordinate to address environmental information gaps in the rest of the planned areas.
This strategic approach aims to balance the need to promote the energy transition with the caution and responsibility needed to protect biodiversity. Also ensure that every step is based on a solid and complete understanding of the potential impacts of wind exploitation on the marine environment.
The document underlines the urgency of achieving climate neutrality in the EU and Spain by 2040, and meeting the pledge to protect at least 30% of marine space by 2030. This requires a rapid energy transition, with respect for nature and people. The organizations recognize the importance of expanding renewable energy sources and emphasize the need to simultaneously promote energy savings and implement an orderly deployment that ensures consensus with all actors and users of the area, which benefits the local population and protects biodiversity .
Five steps for proper approval of offshore wind energy projects:
- Identification and demarcation of the most suitable areas for the deployment of renewable energy at sea. It refers to the process already completed by the General State Administration of the designation of areas with high potential for the development of offshore wind energy (ZAPER) in Spain, based on criteria such as zones of usable wind energy, red zones of biodiversity. priority areas for other socio-economic activities.
- Validation of delineated ZAPER polygons. It is proposed to validate and prioritize the identified ZAPERs, prioritizing those expected to have a lower impact on the environment, involving broad consultation and effective public participation, identification and protection of sensitive habitats and vulnerable natural features within the ZAPERs themselves are involved.
- Environmental and social impact assessment prior to the allocation of water surface rights. A prior evaluation of each of the candidate projects is essential, including a proposal for preventive, corrective and compensatory measures to minimize negative impacts. The organizations propose that each project submit an environmental impact study before being submitted to the auction for the selection of the projects to be built, so that the detailed environmental information of each project contributes significantly to the selection.
- Distribution of rights to sustainable and fair projects (auctions). It is proposed that the rights to develop offshore wind energy projects through an auction process, the regulations of which are pending approval, be allocated to the promoters who meet established criteria and requirements, prioritizing their contribution to sustainability, minimizing environmental impacts, social participation and fair distribution of benefits among local communities. Environmental organizations propose that 50% of the score be derived from environmental criteria and 25% from social criteria.
- Development and operation of wind farms. This step includes carrying out detailed technical and environmental studies, obtaining the necessary permits, the construction, installation and commissioning of the wind farms, continuous monitoring of environmental and social conditions, and the application of preventive, corrective and compensatory measures during the entire lifespan of the park. and its dismantling. In this phase, environmental organizations call for continuous monitoring of hydrographic conditions and ecological and social impacts during the operation of wind farms, with transparent and accessible publication of data.
These steps are essential to ensure a fair, sustainable and responsible deployment of offshore wind energy in Spain, taking into account environmental, social and economic aspects in project planning and implementation.
Scientific knowledge for the correct use of offshore wind energy in Spain
The complexity of the marine environment poses significant challenges in obtaining accurate and comprehensive information. In this context, environmental organizations are aware that for some ZAPERs scientific knowledge may be limited regarding some components of biodiversity, which is all the more reason to apply the precautionary principle.
Given the difficulty of carrying out full and rigorous monitoring in all areas simultaneously, The entities propose, in an initial phase, to focus the auctions exclusively on one or two areas with high potential for marine energy development (ZAPER). This strategy will allow careful and thorough analysis in these areas, addressing potential negative environmental and social impacts.
Meanwhile, a active coordination between government services, in particular the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, and the relevant promoting companies to address information gaps in the other planned areas. This strategic approach seeks to balance the need to move forward with prudence and responsibility, ensuring that every step in the sustainable development process is based on a solid and complete knowledge of the marine environment.
Participation and transparency in the deployment of offshore wind energy in Spain
Environmental organizations consider it just as important integrating society into this new governance of offshore wind energy, and proposing measures that promote public participation, transparency and intersectoral cooperation. Between them:
Public consultation and participation. The organizations propose broad consultation and effective public participation in the validation and zoning of the demarcated ZAPER polygons, involving the local community and stakeholders in the decision-making process from the outset.
This will allow for a participatory selection of one or two areas where offshore wind development will begin and ensure that the voices of civil society are taken into account. It will also be relevant for the revision of the POEM, scheduled for 2027.
Disclosure of relevant information. The importance of transparency in the dissemination of relevant information is emphasized so that society knows the impact and benefits of offshore wind energy projects. This allows for a more informed participation of society in the process.
Public Fund for Socio-Economic Development. The organizations propose to establish a public fund for socio-economic development in each ZAPER, fueled by compensation for the generation of each project. This fund would be used for social and environmental improvement actions in the area, which would directly benefit the local society and economy.
Mediation and negotiation. The implementation of mediation and negotiation mechanisms is proposed to resolve disputes between various interested parties and promote safe and peaceful development of projects. This involvement of society in conflict resolution processes is fundamental to participatory governance.
Short supply chains and generating local employment. Environmental organizations also emphasize the importance of prioritizing short supply chains when developing offshore wind projects. Encouraging the hiring of local or nearby suppliers for the production of equipment and components, as well as the hiring of local personnel for the construction, operation and maintenance of wind farms, promotes the generation of employment at the local level.
This strategy not only stimulates the economy of the communities near the projects, but also contributes to reducing the emissions associated with the transportation of equipment and materials, ensuring the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of offshore wind energy is enhanced.
In summary, Friends of the Earth, Ecologists in Action, Greenpeace, SEO/BirdLife and WWF emphasize the importance of involving society in decision-making, in the dissemination of transparent information, in proposals to reduce environmental impact, in the creation of participation mechanisms and in the fair distribution of benefits socio-economic relations with local communities.
This reflects an inclusive and participatory governance approach that aims to: ensure fair and sustainable development of offshore wind energy. Certainly, management, planning, prioritization and participation They are the guarantee that past mistakes in the development of the economy will not be repeated renewable energy on the land.