Regions and cities call on the European Commission to ensure greater involvement of citizens and local authorities in the implementation of the Wind Power Action Plan, as they play an essential role in fostering public acceptance of wind energy projects at the local level.   m5v46

The opinion adopted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) also urges for local supply chains and the protection of the European wind industry from unfair competition. 

According to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), local and regional leaders believe they are better positioned to ensure public acceptance of wind energy projects if they actively involve citizens from their communities in the planning phase. 

The opinion, drafted by Andries Gryffroy, a member of the Flemish Parliament, calls on the European Commission to develop a "trust platform" to improve communication about the creation of local supply chains, jobs, and other social benefits resulting from the renewable energy industry. This is seen as crucial for increasing overall acceptance and attracting skilled personnel to the sector. 

According to Gryffroy, "Wind energy is a key element of the EU's energy mix to meet climate goals and achieve energy independence. However, to address barriers and ensure a faster adoption of this technology, more must be done to improve public acceptance. Additionally, local communities need to be properly involved in the development of wind energy projects. The EU needs more long-term plans and investments in energy storage and grid development to transport energy from the point of production to the point of consumption, while considering the intermittent nature of wind energy production. The permitting process must be simplified, taking into environmental standards, and potential conflicts with other European directives and regulations must be resolved through better simplification between directives." 

The opinion suggests that providing access to energy generation under favorable conditions could be a way to compensate both residents and local authorities, helping to address impacts on the landscape or other disturbances associated with wind energy projects. Regions and cities also highlight the role of energy cooperatives and communities in developing small-scale and low-power wind energy projects, and in generating financial benefits for the involved local communities. 

Meanwhile, local and regional leaders warn of uneven playing fields and call for to European wind energy supply chains to strengthen the competitiveness of EU companies while reducing dependence on third countries. 

Made in EU 

The Committee proposes the creation of a "made in and by Europe" label, establishing a requirement for a minimum level of local content in wind turbine components. Additionally, the carbon border adjustment mechanism should be implemented as soon as possible, and environmental and social aspects should be included in public procurement procedures and auction processes. 

The request highlights the need to strengthen critical infrastructure for energy storage, transport, and distribution, including cross-border interconnections. The CoR urges the European Commission to facilitate network construction with a long-term local grid development plan, prioritizing investments in grid infrastructure and regional cooperation. 

Cities and regions also emphasize their role in the permitting process and the need to provide them with the skills and tools necessary to assess potential conflicts with European directives and regulations, such as the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. This could help improve the efficiency and approval rate of permitting processes, taking into environmental standards, and harmonizing and minimizing litigation procedures.