3rd stakeholder meeting - Zemgale Planning Region

At the end of August, a meeting of the Zemgale climate, energy and environment coordination working
group was held, where it was possible to learn about the completed activities of the BIOWIND project,
the started work on the pilot project and the Belgian experience for sustainable decommissioning of
wind turbines.

At the beginning of the summer, the project team with representatives of the involved parties from the
Ministry of Climate and Energy and the Wind Energy Association went on an exchange visit to Leuven,
Belgium. Although the development of wind parks is currently being planned in Latvia, it is important to anticipate their use in time even after the turbines have ceased operation. After the dismantling of the wind turbine, the regulations require the territory to be restored to its previous state, while the turbine parts are to be recycled. Interestingly, the process of dismantling such turbines is quite complicated, however, recycling the base and pole is relatively easy, unlike the disposal of wind turbine blades. This part of the turbine is made of composite material, therefore, difficult to recycle.

Quite creative solutions to the problem have also been found in many places in Europe, that is, blades are used as environmental objects, the material is used in children playgrounds, even in furniture, sound insulation materials and in the construction of bridges. Consequently, the approach is reoriented from reducing pollution to improving the aesthetics of the surrounding environment.

The working group meeting also heard a presentation by Ignitis Renewables on providing financial support to various community initiatives. The company is a leader in renewable energy in the Baltics and Poland. Local communities living near Ignitis Renewables; solar and/or wind energy parks are invited to submit project applications for financial support for important projects and initiatives. 200,000 euros are available to support community projects in Latvia in 2024. In order to be eligible for such support, you must start an open competition, and associations that implement a project in the interests of local communities within ~5 km around the park can apply. This is the first year that Latvian residents can also apply for support, while in Lithuania such a practice has already been implemented for a few years. With the received support, various projects were implemented - improved infrastructure of educational institutions, created solar energy lighting in a public recreation area, cleaned several areas, created an open-air stage, improved accessibility of community buildings, etc. It is important that thanks to these activities, communities also develop a better understanding of renewable energy, thus also increasing public support.

Thanks to various foreign experiences gained, it is possible to make more cautious and much more justified solutions for the development of wind parks in the country, in order to increase public understanding, which is currently quite skeptical in Latvia. One of the activities to be implemented in the project is directly related to promoting public awareness of renewable energy. A stereotype is often formed: 'Yes, we want wind turbines, but not in our neighborhood'. Several materials and maps have been developed in Latvia, ministries and other responsible institutions have identified places where there are opportunities to build wind parks, however, an important factor is missing - public support. With loud headlines in the press, the slander of various project ideas appears, while often many accusations have no explanation. When traveling in Europe, it is common to see wind turbine parks, while in Latvia this is only a project at the development stage. In the BIOWIND project, the Zemgale Planning Region will prepare detailed guides for the implementation of pilot activities in the partner territories with Greek partners.

The online consultation mechanism for public participation in wind energy planning in Latvia will allow local stakeholders to get involved, increase awareness and express their concerns. The pilot project envisages mapping and analyzing interested parties, organizing a training seminar for employees of the regional authority on how to provide support to interested parties throughout the consultation process. With online survey tools, local communities will be able to share their views on wind farm siting, focusing on biodiversity issues as the main resistance to future wind energy projects. This approach and tools have already been used and tested in other EU projects.

As a result, cross-regional learning will be enhanced with practical insights on how best to adopt and implement public participation schemes in wind energy planning based on a learning-by-doing approach.

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