Renewable energy investment faces restrictions due to new spatial planning

New spatial planning regulations for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) are significantly restricting the available land for wind and solar energy investments. The market warns of a shrinking geographic base for green energy projects, which could lead to more expensive and concentrated development in the future.

According to ELATEEN, three primary horizontal prohibitions exclude at least 61% of the country from new wind energy investments, potentially reducing the average productivity of wind farms by 29%. Wind projects remain excluded from areas with altitudes above 1,200 meters, islands smaller than 300 sq km, and Special Protection Areas for birds.

For solar energy, SEF estimates that the total ban on forest lands removes 56.3% of the territory from investment plans. Additionally, new solar parks are entirely excluded from forest areas and the Natura network. Industry experts express concern that while current portfolios are safe, these restrictions threaten the next generation of projects required to sustain the energy transition after 2030.