ITALY
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
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Local champions’ upskilling meetings
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Social innovation” webinars
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Training sessions
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Co-creation workshops
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Brokerage events
WENDY tools assessment
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Social acceptance interventions tool
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WENDY toolbox
Wind farms development
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Design co-existence roadmaps
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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
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Streamlining approval processes with policies to simplify bureaucracy while maintaining environmental standards.
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Engaging stakeholders for ongoing dialogue and transparency.
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Establishing clear policy guidelines for eligibility and access to public funding.
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Collaboration with legal experts for compliance with regulations.
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Promoting decentralized and participatory energy generation.
Economic
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Prioritizing local labour and suppliers for job creation and support to local businesses.
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Implementing benefit-sharing mechanisms to distribute economic advantages equitably.
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Accessing financial resources through policy frameworks.
Sociocultural
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Fostering community involvement through ongoing communication, workshops, and citizen participation.
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Empowering individuals in energy communities and wind projects.
Technological
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Using advanced noise reduction technologies to minimize turbine noise.
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Embracing best practices for minimizing environmental impacts.
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Planning for material reuse to support circular economy principles.
Legal
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Collaborating with legal experts to navigate legal complexities.
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Establishing a well-structured legal framework for compliance and flexibility.
Environmental
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Conducting thorough environmental impact assessments to identify and mitigate negative effects.
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Using low environmental impact materials during construction.
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Implementing a comprehensive siting plan for harmonious integration.
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Having a robust framework for decommissioning and landscape restoration.
Domain
Challenges
Political
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Regulatory and policy barriers at the regional/national level.
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Tailored communication strategies to navigate the political landscape and manage opposition.
Economic
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Economic concerns including property devaluation and negative impacts on businesses.
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Integration with broader economic and tourism development strategies.
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Accessible financial information campaigns to inform citizens about economic advantages.
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Cooperation mechanisms between developers and local government.
Sociocultural
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Local stakeholder opposition and community resistance.
Technological
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Policy gaps and regulations for new technologies.
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There is no trust in offshore.
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No research and development efforts.
Legal
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Lack of understanding of legal frameworks and compliance measures.
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Lack of comprehensive guidance and training on legal aspects.
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Lack of harmonization and standardization for legal rules concerning renewable energy communities.
Environmental
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Lack of comprehensive environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures.
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Lack of strategies for minimizing environmental impact during construction, including low-impact techniques and habitat preservation.
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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. | |
