Italy

ITALY

Enel Green Power

Calabria use case

Type: Onshore wind energy

Focus: Agriculture co-existence

Status: Long term operation phase

1. Bagaladi (Calabria CZ, 2010): the Bagaladi wind farm came into operation in 2012 with a total of 33 turbines with a wind power generation of 28MW.

2. Maida / San Florio (Calabria RC, 2012): the Maida and San Florio wind farms came into operation in 2010 with a total of 28 and 4 turbines with a wind power generation of 56 and 8 MW, respectively.

Both these wind farms are located in areas of resting and foraging for migratory avifauna in the seasons of spring and autumn. The lands present a dual use: in Bagaladi they are mountainous areas of agriculture with natural vegetation, and in Maida/San Florio they are of agricultural activity mixed with natural vegetation.

Knowledge sharing events

  • Local champions’ upskilling meetings

  • Social innovation” webinars

  • Training sessions

  • Co-creation workshops

  • Brokerage events

 

WENDY tools assessment

  • Social acceptance interventions tool

  • WENDY toolbox

 

Wind farms development

  • Design co-existence roadmaps

  • Identification of future replication cases

Hub Manager

Silvia Masci

Project Manager at Innovation EGP

Short Bio: Silvia Masci is a PhD in Material Chemistry, University of Perugia. Currently she is a project manager at Innovation of Enel Green Power SpA. Her projects focus on identifying and testing innovative technological solutions to mitigate environmental impacts of renewable plants.

Ε-mail: silvia.masci@enel.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-masci-innovation

Country Profile

Needs & Challenges

Domain

Needs

Political

  • Streamlining approval processes with policies to simplify bureaucracy while maintaining environmental standards.

  • Engaging stakeholders for ongoing dialogue and transparency.

  • Establishing clear policy guidelines for eligibility and access to public funding.

  • Collaboration with legal experts for compliance with regulations.

  • Promoting decentralized and participatory energy generation.

Economic

  • Prioritizing local labour and suppliers for job creation and support to local businesses.

  • Implementing benefit-sharing mechanisms to distribute economic advantages equitably.

  • Accessing financial resources through policy frameworks.

Sociocultural

  • Fostering community involvement through ongoing communication, workshops, and citizen participation.

  • Empowering individuals in energy communities and wind projects.

Technological

  • Using advanced noise reduction technologies to minimize turbine noise.

  • Embracing best practices for minimizing environmental impacts.

  • Planning for material reuse to support circular economy principles.

Legal

  • Collaborating with legal experts to navigate legal complexities.

  • Establishing a well-structured legal framework for compliance and flexibility.

Environmental

  • Conducting thorough environmental impact assessments to identify and mitigate negative effects.

  • Using low environmental impact materials during construction.

  • Implementing a comprehensive siting plan for harmonious integration.

  • Having a robust framework for decommissioning and landscape restoration.

Domain

Challenges

Political

  • Regulatory and policy barriers at the regional/national level.

  • Tailored communication strategies to navigate the political landscape and manage opposition.

Economic

  • Economic concerns including property devaluation and negative impacts on businesses.

  • Integration with broader economic and tourism development strategies.

  • Accessible financial information campaigns to inform citizens about economic advantages.

  • Cooperation mechanisms between developers and local government.

Sociocultural

  • Local stakeholder opposition and community resistance.

Technological

  • Policy gaps and regulations for new technologies.

  • There is no trust in offshore.

  • No research and development efforts.

Legal

  • Lack of understanding of legal frameworks and compliance measures.

  • Lack of comprehensive guidance and training on legal aspects.

  • Lack of harmonization and standardization for legal rules concerning renewable energy communities.

Environmental

  • Lack of comprehensive environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures.

  • Lack of strategies for minimizing environmental impact during construction, including low-impact techniques and habitat preservation.

  • No sustainable end-of-life solutions for decommissioned wind turbines.

Italian Pilot Case Roadmap

Understanding Local Needs and Challenges
Objective Identify and address the main concerns of the local population regarding the impact of the wind farm.
Actions • Conduct community meetings to openly discuss concerns about the landscape, impacts on the natural ecosystem, noise, traffic during construction and economic interests vs. energy transition.
• Use the media and public debates to raise awareness of climate change and the need for the energy transition.
Defining Local Vision and Objectives
Objective Develop a clear, long-term vision for energy and sustainability in the local community highlighting how wind turbines can contribute.
Actions • Organise workshops to gather community input on a vision for renewable energy use, emphasising decarbonisation and the role of renewables.
• Promote understanding of the economic benefits of wind energy projects for the community.
Identifying Sequence of Steps
Objective Outline concrete steps to overcome challenges and achieve the vision and objectives of the community.
Actions • Sensitise the community to the requirements of the energy transition through education and media engagement.
• Establish participatory processes for environmental impact assessments and project discussions and ensure broad community participation.
• Set up working groups to share information on energy, circular economy and the benefits of wind energy, creatively dealing with local opposition.
Innovation and Digitalization
Objective Utilize digital technologies and innovative solutions to improve communication, transparency, and environmental co-existence.
Actions • Host public meetings using digital tools for landscape visual impact evaluations.
• Introduce technological innovations like HD camera systems for bird detection to mitigate environmental impacts.
Enhancing Participation and Co-existence Settings
Objective Encourage active community participation in wind farm projects and secure the support of regional/municipal authorities.
Actions • Develop digital platforms for community engagement, offering information, Q&A with experts, and project updates.
• Regularly update the community on project progress, incorporating feedback into ongoing development.
• Share inspirational stories, like Peccioli's transition, to illustrate potential benefits and transformative power of wind energy and environmental projects.

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