The Legal Study on the Regulation of Wind Power in the Light of the Renewable Energy Strategy and the Protection of Biodiversity in the European Union with a Case Study on Implementation in Sweden.

Abstract

Abstract Renewable energy plays a leading role in phasing out fossil fuels and achieving a carbon-neutral society by 2050 in the EU. As a sustainable renewable energy source, the wind energy sector is growing steadily, and onshore wind energy represents the highest percentage of electricity demand over offshore wind energy. The key legal instrument is Renewable Energy Directive II, which promotes renewable energy sources, including wind energy. The EU has a crucial goal to achieve adopted renewable energy targets in the EU Energy Strategy. However, a growing body of literature recognizes that onshore wind farms may harm biodiversity, primarily bats and bird species. Concretely, European Commission has introduced strategies and goals to halt biodiversity loss at the EU level and internationally. In addition, the biodiversity legislation: Birds and Habitats Directive, plays a central role in EU biodiversity policy. Thus, the EU has set comprehensive strategies for biodiversity and renewable energy sectors. These two sectors are interlinked and significant in achieving targets to move to a carbon-neutral society. Sweden is one of the leading EU countries that aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity production in 2040. The approach that the EU needs to reduce conflict between onshore wind energy and biodiversity is to adopt mitigation measures, synergies between these two sectors and trade-offs.

Keywords: Onshore wind energy, biodiversity, Sweden, European Union