Meeting Europe's renewable energy targets in harmony with - RSPB

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NATIONAL AND EU POLICY MAKERS 123
9 Increase capacity and scientific expertise in
local and regional authorities to scrutinise
“appropriate assessments” through recruitment
and training. Where capacity is lacking, the
Ministry of Environment should scrutinise
proposals (rather than local authorities) and
NGO advice should be used.
10 Improve capacity in environmental authorities
to require mitigation measures and to carry out
monitoring and enforcement. The Ministry of
Environment should work with NGOs to
develop clearer guidance and a training
programme for environmental authorities.
5.3.13
SLOVENIA
Slovenia intends to raise it share of renewable
energy from 16% in 2005 to 25% in 2020, requiring
an additional 330 ktoe of renewable energy. As
Figure 26 illustrates, roughly one quarter of the
increase will be in hydropower, and roughly
another quarter from technologies with low
ecological risks (solar thermal, heat pumps and
renewables used in electric cars). The remaining
161 ktoe of energy will come from medium risk
technologies as identified in Chapter Three.
Biomass for heating and electricity are important
sources in this heavily forested country. Solar PV
and onshore wind also make small contributions
to 2020 targets.
Slovenia has a strong tradition of spatial planning,
but this is not yet being used effectively to
promote biodiversity-friendly renewables. There
are national-level plans, such as the national
Energy Plan to 2030, and also “community plans”
for 200 communities. Permission for large
renewables developments depends on inclusion
in spatial plans.
DOPPS is produced sensitivity maps for wind
energy for all of Slovenia, and these will be in the
public domain by 2012. Large scale wind
development has been on hold pending the result
of one controversial proposal. In 2001 a Slovenian
electricity distribution company decided to build in
a mountain IBA/SPA (Snežnik-Pivka) that is
important for griffon vultures and golden eagles.
Environmental consent and a construction licence
were initially given, but DOPPS BirdLife Slovenia
took legal action because the EIA was inadequate.
One third of Slovenia’s electricity is from hydro,
and older facilities are being systematically
re-powered to improve their electricity output.
There are also many proposals for new hydro
schemes, often in Natura 2000 areas eg, on the
Mura river at the border with Austria. This has been
very controversial with nature NGOs. A first
Slovenian pumped storage hydropower plant was
finished in 2010, and a second one is planned.
FIGURE 26
Additional renewable energy
consumption in Slovenia in
2020 compared to 2005, by
technology [ktoe] iv