EÓLICA - Spatial Planning of Windturbines

Source : Nordex GmbH
Guidelines & Comparison of European Experiences
Spatial planning
of windturbines
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Guidelines & Comparison
of European Experiences
Spatial
planning of
windturbines
PREDAC Coordinator
Emmanuel Poussard (CLER, France)
WP8 consortium
Project coordinators
Yann Rochard (Avel Pen Ar Bed, France)
Bertrand Poyet (Avel Pen Ar Bed, France)
Annabelle Jacquet (APERe, Wallonia – Belgium)

Luc De Wwilde (3E nv, Belgium)
Gunnar Boye Olesen (OVE, Denmark)
Bernard van Hemert (ECOFYS, The Netherlands)
graphism Atelier des grands pêchers

Introduction
Wind energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources (RES). As a consequence,
ambitious targets are defined for it at European level.
It is also the most noticeable one. So, if wind energy could be a good advertisement about green
electricity for public opinion, it also causes strong resistance among citizens. Indeed, if wind produc-
tion is part of a sustainable development, implementation of turbines on any territory is not neutral
on its environment, in particular from a landscape point of view.
So the first statement is that wind energy is subject to spatial planning procedures. More,
we consider spatial planning, or land-use planning as crucial for the successful integration
of windpower in populated areas. Successful spatial planning is part of the accomplishment
of windpower in Germany and Denmark. Problems with spatial planning have delayed the
developing of windpower in a number of countries including Denmark, The Netherlands,
Belgium and France (see the matrix in annex).
Lack of involvement of neighbours in spatial planning can create opposition against it.
A more frequent issue is that opposition against wind turbines must be handled correctly
in the spatial planning processes.
As a consequence, the general objectives of a wind energy spatial planning are :

• to take the maximum advantage of the wind energy potential, planning it in a coherent way for its
correct development from territorial, energetic, environmental and socio-economic point of view.
• to both rationalise and accelerate the development of wind energy throughout the EU streamlining
the current processes of project selection by developers and project judgement by planners.
• to optimize and at facilitate the territorial integration of the projects, beyond the only energy
concerns and by holding account of local specificities.
This paper proposes guidelines for spatial planning for windpower, based on experience with spatial
planning in Belgium, Denmark, France and The Netherlands. In addition experiences from Germany
and Ireland has been used. In this guidelines, we tried to quote all decisive criteria for successful
More information on
www.cler.org/predac. implementation of wind energy. For the different aspects of spatial planning recommendations
for a European framework for spatial planning are made. In addition, a summary of the situation for
Belgium, Denmark, France, and The Netherlands are given for each of the aspect. To complete the
descriptions, detailed reports are available for these countries, as well as a summary report for Ireland,
on the PREDAC website (www.cler.org/predac).
The guidelines are meant for larger wind turbines and groups of larger wind turbines ; mainly
land-based. For smaller wind turbines, e.g. household wind turbines, a simpler planning regime is
recommended. Thus, these guidelines should not be applied to turbines of 25 m total height or less.
This publication is part of the PREDAC project with support from EU Commission, 5th RTD
Framework Programme, 2002-2004. The recommendations in this paper are from the expert
group working on Work Package 8 of PREDAC.
introduction 3
Introduction 3
Different aspects of Spatial Planning for Windpower 4
Planning Framework 6
Integration of windpower in regional and local planning 6
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements 8
Other authorities involved 10
Permits 11
Involvement of stakeholders 14
Relations with grid connection 15
Environmental and spatial

criteria and recommendations 17
Noise 17
Shadow flicker 18
Landscape 19
Distance between turbines and parks 21
Distance from housing 22
Distance from roads, railways and waterways 22
Distance from high voltage lines 23
Distance from radio communication, radar and navigation beacons 24
Distance to historical sites and buildings 25
This publication Distance to natural reserves and other protected areas 26
is downloadable Distance to water bodies 27
for free on Distance to forests 28
PREDAC website :
Protection of flora and fauna 28
www.cler.org/predac
Defence constraints 30
Aviation Constraints 30
Ground occupation (access roads, sheds) 31
Conclusion 33
4 content
PART 1
DIFFERENT
ASPECTS OF
SPATIAL PLANNING
FOR WINDPOWER
5
Spatial planning regulates human activities to minimise Environmental and spatial criteria
adverse effects on other human activities, as well as on and recommendations :
nature. Windturbines, like any infrastructure projects, • Noise
have considerable impact in their immediate neigh- • Shadow flicker
bourhood. They are visible, throw shadows, and • Distance from housing
give noise. On the other hand, they take up very little
• Distance from roads, railways and waterways
ground and can co-exist with other activities such
• Distance from high voltage lines
as most types of farming.
• Aviation servitude
In this paper the aspects of spatial • Distance from radio communication
planning considered are: • Distance from radar and navigation beacons
• Piping and tubes
Planning framework : • Defence constraints
• Integration of windpower in regional • Ground occupation (access roads, sheds)
and local planning • Landscape
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA) • Harmonisation of turbines in parks
requirements • Distance to historical sites and buildings
• Other authorities involved • Distance to natural reserves and other protected
• Permits needed areas (incl. EU wildlife protection areas)
• Involvement of stakeholders • Distance to water bodies
• Period to obtain all permits • Distance to forests
• Costs required for studies and permits • Distance to silent areas
• Relations with grid connection • Fauna
• Distance between turbines and parks
• Lighting and marking of turbines
6 different aspects
PART 2
PLANNING
FRAMEWORK
7
Integration of windpower
in regional and local planning
• While some countries have had success with a

detailed planning for windturbines, leading to
designating windpower areas or even designated
sites, such detailed planning is not necessarily the
best solutions in all cases. The benefits of the detailed
planning are clear: it gives certainty for developers,
it makes windpower projects simpler once the
planning is in place, and it separate the planning
process from the rush of project development.
The problems are :
• that it delays general development with 1-2 years,
• that it is costly, in particular if wind conditions are
not evaluated in advance (high costs are particular
a problem in areas where the opportunities for
windpower is small as the potential benefit of
the development is limited), and
SOURCE : AVEL PEN AR BED • that it can contribute to land speculation.
Recommendations National experience

• The participation of both regional and municipal
Belgium
authorities in the planning process is important.
The regions – Flanders and Wallonie – have major res-
Planning should not be limited to municipal level
ponsibilities on spatial planning, also for windturbines.
that cannot maintain sufficient expertise (too few
In Wallonie are set criteria for windpower and a regional
projects), nor to the regional scale that does not
facilitator is established, while for Flanders a wind plan
have the same direct contact with locally involved
has been developed as a basis for the development of
citizen’s as municipalities usually have
wind energy. Based on this windplan designated areas are
• It is recommended that national and regional wind
now created in order to implement wind energy.. Muni-
power planning be linked via regional indicative
cipalities can assist the regional approach through pro-
minimum targets that add up to national targets.
gramming and planning at a municipal level and imple-
Such targets MUST be minimum targets; otherwise
ment a programme for a municipal structure (in Flanders
they can be counterproductive in regions with
they can take actions for smaller project).
success in windpower development.
• It is recommended that people living in areas with
potential for windpower be encouraged to get Denmark
involved in the regional and local planning process, The most important planning for windpower is in the reg-
in particular if a detailed site-planning is made ional plans that include designated sites for windturbines.
(e.g. with designation of sites as part of the planning). Some counties have used indicative wind capacity targets
• It is recommended that the planning authority that were derived from national targets. These county-
give as clear criteria as possible to limit risks targets seem to have been supporting the development,
for developers of preparing project that cannot but they have also been used as a reason to limit the
be granted a building permit. development once the target was achieved.
Municipal plans for windpower follow regional plans in
almost all cases but can be more specific. Local plans are
made for specific projects.
The clear definition of sites in regional and municipal plan-
ning made a fast development possible in the late 90’s as
they made windpower investments easier. This approach
did create some local opposition, mostly because of lack
of local involvement in planning and in projects.
8 planning framework
France A new law of the 3 January 2003 (n° 2003-8) about gas and
Windturbines can be included in spatial plans of muni- electricity markets and the public utility of energy intro-
cipalities or groups of municipalities that have made their duces the idea of a regional plan to enhance the develop-
own spatial plans (PLUs), but it is generally considered ment of wind energy.
that wind exploitation is suitable with agricultural zones This kind of plans are intended to precise geographical-
in PLUs if no specific or opposed prescriptions are men- ly the areas adapted to the establishment of wind parks.
tioned in the attached rules. Wind energy is not included
in general in the spatial plans of French Regions or Depar- The Netherlands
tments, but they can have activities to promote windpo- Regional plans indicate globally the land use and can
wer and they are also involved in the part of the permis- create possibilities for windpower. The provincial autho-
sion-procedure. In certain cases (e.g. Finistere Department rities make wind strategy plans, indicating how they want
in Brittany), Departments have made recommendations to reach a windpower target. Municipal zoning plans lay
for windpower that is close to overall spatial planning down land use. The plans can create possibilities for wind-
(The Finistere Wind energy Charter).The lack of inte- power, and they can also prohibit or limit windpower in
gration of windpower in municipal and regional spatial certain areas.
planning makes increases the uncertainty for developers
about identification of possible sites.
Examples of integration of wind power

in regional & local planning
France : The Finistery charter ding to landscape and environmental considerations etc.
About ecological and landscape considerations, maps
of major interest’s sites and of emblematic landscape
zones have been elaborated. All these areas have been
indexed with an analysis of their capacity to receive
wind turbines.
In the areas identified as «emblematic landscapes», the

principle is « to preserve imperatively their emblematic
characteristic, what is possible either preserving these
areas from any significant mutation, or accepting only
projects which quality allows a successful integration ».
The objective is to avoid any significant mutation of the
emblematic areas or areas which particular characte-
ristic could justified :
In France, the legal process for wind turbines building
• unbroken landscapes
agreement gives entire ability to the Prefect of each
• landscapes of particular local interest
department (representative of the State). In Finistery,
the Prefect asked for the elaboration of a charter to In the other areas, « principle is not to refuse wind
« organise » wind energy development, to prevent the turbines, but to avoid the effects of multiple imple-
territory from too strong impacts due to an anarchic mentations ».
development of wind farms. This charter is expected to
be progressively replaced by local specific rules inclu- This document has a connotation rather dissuasive
ded in the SCOT (planning coherency schemes at an about wind energy development, which does not appear
intercommunal level) and the communal urbanism docu- in conformity with the indications of the EU directive of
ments. Meanwhile, charter vocation is to avoid « preju- September 2001 and the national law of January 2003.
dicial nuisances for territory and population », espe-
cially on a landscape consideration. The File is downloadable on PREDAC website :
So the document is composed of general instructions www.cler.org/predac
about the team project, the choice of the location regar-
planning framework 9
Example
France : The wind energy development (coasting flight...), of the town planning documents, of
spatial planning of the community of the wind resource and the surface of the potential sites
communes of Châteaulin and Porzay : made it possible to carry out the cartography of the
landscape matter and harmonisation whole suitable sites.
of wind projects In parallel, a landscape analysis was carried out. 3 land-
scape units emerge on the territory (Aulne’s valley,
Whereas the department of Finistery has published a mountainous masses and the basin of Porzay). Inde-
charter of the wind mills to have a framework about the pendently of the research for potential sites, this ana-
development of the projects, the community of com- lysis makes it possible to imagine a theoretical scena-
munes of Châteaulin and Porzay decided to launch the rio of establishment.
realisation of a wind development spatial planning. The The correlation of the 2 approaches (highlighted of the
community of communes wishes to validate a wind potential sites and landscape analysis), carried out in
scheme among the scenarios suggested, in order to an independent way, made it possible to propose 3 sce-
optimise landscape, environmental and social integra- nario of wind development at the steering committee.
tion of the projects.
These 3 scenario are now used as support together
The analysis of the territory under a Geographical Info-
with the debate and the dialogue within the framework
rmation System (GIS) made it possible to gradually redu-
of this innovating step of spatial planning.
ce the area of the study and show the potential sites by
applying the following criteria : Communauté de Communes
• exclusion of the protected areas (registered sites de Châteaulin et du Porzay
and monuments, Natura 2000...), 30 Quai Charles de Gaulle,
• exclusion of zones of constraints of public utility, 29 150 Châteaulin, France
• application of a buffer distance to the buildings tel : (+33) (0)2 98 16 14 00
and roads networks email : ccpcp@wanadoo.fr
Some areas were also described as areas of const- Energies et Territoires Développement
raints. Their statute is not incompatible with wind ener- Pôle d'innovation de Mescoat,
gy, but have a particular sensitivity (ZNIEFF, ZICO ...). 29 800 Landerneau, France
The taking into account of the uses of the territory tel : (+33) (0)2 98 30 36 82
SOURCE : ETD
scénario 1 scénario 2 scénario 3
Environmental impact asses-
sment (EIA) requirements
EIA’s are made according to a EU directive (Council Direc-
Belgium
tive 85/327), and the structures of the EIA’s are generally
In Flanders region an EIA is only necessary for wind
similar across the countries analysed. [windpower related
farms with a rated power >20MW or >10 turbines. In
issues of directive included here: 20MW/10 turbines]. The
some case an IEA may be rquired in sensitive area’s.
EIA can be a tool to increase the confidence in the quality
For all ather projects an short notice describing the project
of a project and so can be a factor of social acceptance.
and the environmental effects is necessary.
An EIA should only be a requirement for larger projects,
as experience show that smaller projects can be planned
In Walloon region an environmental impact assessment
well without an EIA, and because of the costs involved
(EIA) is compulsory for all projects whose power gene-
in developing an EIA. A developer should be able to
ration is greater than or equal to 3 MW. Under 3 MW, the
choose to make a voluntary EIA to increase confidence in
project developer has to fulfil and add to his demand of
a project.
permit an evaluation notice on environmental impacts.
To maximise the confidence in EIAs, they should be
The EIA shall begin with a consultation meeting with the
made or verified by an entity that is independent from
local population. Questions and Opinions raised at this
project interests.
meeting have to be examined in the impact assessment in
addition to the minimal content fixed by the law. This
content covers the evaluation of social, economical and
environmental impacts, with a particular attention to the
landscape integration. The undertaking of the impact
assessment also requires a public enquiry to be underta-
ken. The impact assessment completes the impact assess-
ment phase. The project developer pays the complete
process. The EIA report must be added to the form of
request of the permit, so this have to be done before to
ask the permit.
EIA costs between 15000 and 25000 € for middle size
projects (under 10 turbines).
Denmark
An EIA is required for sites with more than 3 turbines or
total height above 80m (approx. 1MW turbines). The EIA
starts with a public « idea phase » where the public and
SOURCE : NORDESE GMBH stakeholders are invited for comments to the project idea.
This phase usually include a public meeting. The EIA
report is made with inputs from this phase. In a following
public phase are invited comments to the report and
usually a public meeting is held. The EIA is organised by
the county, but the project developers are often reques-
ted to finance the studies.
Costs of EIA depend on project, in a recent example the
costs were 40,000 €. The county makes the EIA, but it
usually requires that the project developer pay for all
EIA studies.
France The Netherlands
The EIA is the major part of the Building Permit. An EIA is only required when the initiative exceeds 15
Before the EIA, preconditions about numerous constraints MW or is larger than 10 turbines and if there are cir-
have to be fulfilled (civil and military servitude’s, environ- cumstances, which can lead to negative environmental
mental constraints...). The new law of January 2003 about impact. The EIA starts with public comments to the
gas and electricity markets and the public utility of energy directives of the EIA. After this phase the directives are
introduces that wind projects above 2,5 MW are subordi- set by the competent authority – usually the province-
nated to the preliminary carrying out of an EIA and also and the project promoter makes the EIA. When the pro-
requires Public Inquiry. ject promoter has finished the EIA, the competent autho-
Another new law of the 2 July 2003 relative to town plan- rity assesses if it conforms to the directives. When this is
ning and habitat (n°2003-590) maintain this obligation the case, it sent for public hearing together with the draft
that projects above 2,5 MW requires a public enquiry decision [or verdict] about approval/not approval of the
and an EIA. For projects below 2,5 MW, only the reali- project.
sation of an « Impact Evaluation Note », (simplified EIA) EIA costs 50,000-200,000 € and is paid by developer.
is needed.
The landscape impact analysis is the most important part

of the EIA. It generally requires :
• Map of Visual Influence Zone (means from where
turbines are visible) and of eventual co-visibility
with existing or planed projects.
• Analysis of the views from roads, pedestrian paths,
from highest points that are frequented and from
houses of neighbourhoods.
• Illustrated analysis (photos, maps, sketches...)
of landscape’s components of the site and its
surroundings.
• Explanation of the developments choice (research
of visual harmony, limitation of access..) from the
point of the concerned landscape.
• Explanation of treatments of the direct surroundings
of the site: technical room, compensatory measures
on reshaped areas (access path, connection cables...)
EIAs are required for project with an output of 2,5 MW
and are paid by developers.
SOURCE : NEG MICON
Other authorities involved
(power utilities are not included in as an « authority » in In Wallonie those authorities are also officially consulted
this paper) in the process of instruction of the permit as well as the
following authorities :
Recommendations • The Municipal or Regional Commission

It is recommended that all authorities and power utili- of Spatial Planning
ties are involved via the regular planning and permitting • The Walloon’s Commission of Sustainable
authorities: the region/county and the municipality. Development
Authorities should be involved as early as possible. • The concerned administrations (environment,
It is specifically recommended that : spatial planning and energy)
• Ministry of Defence is involved only within • The « wind energy cell »
a pre-defined distance from military installations, • The Regional Commission of Monuments and Sites
e.g. 12 km, and in zones of special military interest if the project is close to a classed site of monument
such as low-flying zones. This is a restriction of • The competent authority if the project is close
consultation of military compared with some to a natural reserve or Natura 2000 site
countries, but seems to work well in Denmark. • The Park’s Commission if the project
The Ministry of Defence must answer without delay is in a natural park perimeter
whether proposed projects are in above-mentioned
zones of military interests. In Flanders a wind plan has been made and this has been
• Civil aviation authorities are consulted only in followed by development of spatial zoning planning
projects nearby airports, e.g. within 5 km from maps (so called RUPs) that are designated area’s for lar-
airports, and in projects where turbines are above ger projects.
100 m in total height. The IWW (Interdepartmental Workgroup Wind energy)
• In projects near national borders, including off-shore was formed as part of this planning procedure to come to
projects bordering international seas, the authorities a consensus on planning issues. The IWW has to give his
of neighbouring countries must be involved advice on all projects.
following the Espoo Convention.
In Wallonie a developer should as part of project deve-
lopment :
National experience • Request for an unofficial opinion from
Belgium the aeronautical authorities and National Defence
In addition to the municipalities and regional authority, • Request for an unofficial opinion from the Institute
a developer should in both regions as part of project Belge des Postes et Telecommunications concerning
development : radio waves
• Request for an unofficial opinion from the
eronautical authorities and National Defence; Denmark
• Request for an unofficial opinion from the Institute The region will involve other relevant authorities, such as:
Belge des Postes et Telecommunications concerning • Ministry of defence if there is a military installation
radio waves. nearby (e.g. within 12 km). In addition the defence
has to be involved in turbines installed in special
military low-flying zones.
• Airport authorities if there is an airport nearby
(e.g. within 5 km)
• For turbines > 100 m, aviation authorities.
Other authorities can be involved if they have jurisdiction
of neighbouring natural, economic or cultural values.
They can have authorities because they are landowners or
because they are in charge of protection of special natu-
ral or cultural values.
France Other authorities can be involved in special cases:
Depending on the project a large number of authorities Ministry of Environment becomes involved if the project
are involved in addition to the municipalities / groups of is in a nature protection are, The Architect of Ancient
municipalities : Monuments (AAM) becomes involved if the project is
• The Prefect (the states representative in a district), less than 500 m from protected monuments
must approve the building permit adopted by the
municipality/group of municipalities The Netherlands
• The Departments Architecture & Patrimony Offices, When placing windturbines on infrastructure, which is
advice about nature and landscapes under maintenance of the District Water Board and / or
• Civil and Military Aviation offices oversees that the Department of Public Works, an additional authori-
the project is conforming with aeronautical rules sation is required.
and limitations The Ministry of Defence has to give authorisation if
• The Departments « Sites Committee » (SDC). windturbines are placed in low-fly zones or bordering
Gives advice to the Prefect, upon his request military areas.
• The ministry in charge of energy gives an
exploitation declaration (projects below 4.5 MW)
or an exploitation agreement.
• The power company (EdF) accepts a grid
connection agreement
Permits
Recommendations Denmark
The regional wind energy plan must include the wind-
It is recommended that the regular planning regime only
turbine site. This plan is approved by the country coun-
require one permit that should be issued once the plan-
cil and requires in certain cases an EIA (see above).
ning and permitting procedures are concluded.
There must be a local plan for the site. The local plan is
It is recommended that time to obtain all permits should
approved by the municipal council and must conform to
not exceed 6 months. Authorities that are consulted as
the regional plan.
part of the project should respect deadlines for respon-
The building permission can be issued administratively
ses. Lack of reply should be treated as no objections
by the municipality once the local plan is approved.
from the given authority.
Projects that require EIA and amendment of regional
plan can be developed in one year, if work on EIA is fast
National experience and no problems occur, but often the entire procedure
will take 1.5-2 years.
Belgium For projects that are already in designated areas, the
remaining planning process can be made in 3-6 months,
Flanders : if no problems occur.
A building permits is necessary according to the law and
a exploitation permits is required. A building permits is
delivered by the commune and the exploitation permit is France
granted by the commune, province or regional authori- New law of January 2003 precises that the establishment
ties depending on the size of the project and the type of of an installation producing electricity from the mecha-
project developer (public or private). The procedure nical energy of the wind, at height higher or equal to 12
takes normally between 6 months and one year. metres, requires a building permit from the Prefect.
If the location is situated in an agricultural zone a so cal- The obtaining of the building permit occurs after the
led RUP (designated area) has to be made before the consultation of the "Commission des Sites" (regrouping
project developer can apply for a permit. The procedu- the representatives of each ministries at the local level
re for the RUP takes one year and incorporates a period and of local associations or interests).
of public enquiery. Other Permissions required are:
• Agreement with aeronautical rules
Wallonie : (Civil and military)
A unique permit is necessary. It includes both environ- • Agreement from Radio-electricity & Telecom services
ment and building permit. This Permit is given by the • Agreement from Forest & Agriculture department
municipality in first authority and by the regional minis- • Agreement from Architecture & Historic
ter in second authority. For the application form to be Buildings department
complete, the project developer has to add the results of • Exploitation agreement or declaration by the DRIRE
the EIA (project of 3 MW or above) and of the public (Regional Direction for Industry, Research
enquiry or the impact evaluation’s note (project under 3 and Environment)
MW). A declaration must be made to the federal • Authorisation of grid connection by power company
Secretary of Energy when the project is realised. (ARD : Access to the Distribution Grid)
Concerning the grid connection, the acceptation of the
grid manager is needed and a contract must be conclude
with this authority to carry out the connection and to be
authorised to inject the produced electricity.
Eventually, for projects from and above 3 MW, the com-
plete permit process will take 4 to 6 month after the rea-
lisation of the public consultations and of the EIA, so
that is around 9 month altogether. For project less than
3 MW, the total process to obtain the permit takes 2-3
months. The time to carry out the connection depends
on the planning of activities of the utilities. Usually, it
takes 3 to 15 months.
Time to obtain permissions is often 15-20 months. In
projects where grubbing agreement does not give delay,
the time is decided by the grid connection procedure
(12 months). The development time of a project also
includes time to make the EIA and other project docu-
ments, at least 5 months, if the wind conditions are
known. Many projects take longer time because of spe-
cific obstacles and/or because wind measurements has to Example
be made.
France : Permits needed
From a general point of view, the time needed for the & period to obtain : the French case
development of a project is often delayed because of the
complex and long administrative process. It is common to hear that « everybody can build a wind
mill in its garden without authorisation ». This is clearly
not true, a permit building is necessary, as an exploita-
The Netherlands tion authorisation signed by the ministry of Industry. Since
The required permits are: January 2003, the procedure of public inquiry is needed
• Building permit, for all projects of more than 2,5 MW.
• Environment permit, for projects above 15 MW Besides, the EIA must include acoustic, landscape, fauna
and in some special situations specific studies. The expenses of development are quite
• Waterworks permit (if the project involves use huge and there is a rate of extremely high failure of the
of dikes or other land under the jurisdiction projects.
of the waterworks), Obtaining a permit building requires about 30 opinions
• Defence: certificate of incorporation from Ministry or administrative authorisations.
of Defense, indicating that the project does not The administration often blocks building permits, when
interfere with military interests it is not the prefect, it is the Grid system of electricity
Permits can be obtained in 1.5– 2.5 years (average), while (RTE), when it is not the RTE, it is the regional Directions
project development takes 3 – 6 years. of environment (DIREN) and the legislative framing still
The costs of building and environmental permits are being weighed down.
40,000- 60,000 €. The lawful obstacles accumulate, according to the deve-
lopers. Like the public inquiry, that a disposition, added
to the January law, made compulsory for any wind mill
equal or higher than 25 meters. If the public investiga-
tion is necessary to facilitate the dialogue with the local
populations, but to fix a limit of 25 meters is rude since
the smallest wind mills are 40 or 50 meters.
It is important to also quote a recent decree imposing a
minimal distances between sites of « clean » production
of electricity. Still a text trying to limit the development
of wind power because two connections to the network
will be necessary where only one would be enough.
Involvement
of stakeholders
It is recommended that there is a total of 2 public consul-
Belgium
tation phases of 4 weeks length. The consultations must
be outside holiday periods or extended accordingly. At the Flanders :
start of each consultation phase the planning authority Public consultations are an important element once an
should inform stakeholders including neighbours up to EIA is finished for large projects, and designated area’s
2-5 km from the project site. A good, complete, and tran- (RUPs). Stakeholders can and do use these public consul-
sparent communication is recommended during the con- tations to voice their comments and eventual objections
sultation phase. It’s not only necessary to present the to projects.
project or proposed plan, it is also important to explain Wallonie :
the process. Therefore, it can be convenient to invite a Public consultations are made before the EIA and after
delegate from the ministry or public authority involved it. The population can ask to add certain point in the EIA.
in the permit process for public meetings. Every question or comment of the population has to be
analysed and answered in the EIA. For project that doesn’t
require an EIA, a public consultation has to be made during
the permit process. If the municipality decide to adopt a
municipal planning, the population is also consulted in
the process of adoption. Furthermore, an opening of the
project developer to the social participation in the invest-
ment in the project is often asked and proposed.
Denmark
Public consultations are made for EIA’s, regional plans
and local plans. Stakeholders can and do use these public
consultations to voice their comments and eventual ob-
jections to projects. Projects involving EIA’s will have at
least three separate for public consultation periods: two
for the EIA and at least one for the spatial plans. Smaller
project typically have two public consultation periods.
France
The local authorities have a large freedom to decide upon
SOURCE : AVEL PEN AR BED the involvement of the different stakeholders in windpo-
wer planning, including discussions on individual pro-
jects. A new legislation is under preparation, which will
require that local stakeholders are invited to a consulta-
tion in the EIA process.
The Netherlands
Two public consultations are made for EIA’s and for
changing the municipal plans, and one to obtain the buil-
ding permit. For projects that do not require an EIA, only
one consultation round is requested.
Relations with grid
connection authorities
Recommendations former. The distribution companies share the grid-con-
nection costs; so all consumers will pay the same share for
It is recommended that once a building-permit is obtai- this as part of their grid distribution costs.
ned, the distribution company should provide the grid-
connection as highest priority extension and within no
more than 3 months. France
Relevant power utilities must be involved in windpower Project’s developers have to pay for connection costs bet-
planning and should include future windpower develop- ween turbines and connection point on the network. Costs
ments in their planning of line extensions and reinfor- for possible grid reinforcement is supported by the power
cements. utility EdF (in fact, final consumers and producers).
The grid-connection costs paid by the investor must be tran- The connection procedure is long and organised into a
sparent and non-discriminatory. The advantage given to queuing system :
the grid by the windpower producer has to be taken in con- • Connection inquiry by developer.
sideration. (These requirements follow the EU Directive • Exploratory study (sent under a delay of 6 weeks by
201/77/CE on the promotion of electricity from renewa- the network operator). This answer gives indications
ble energy in the internal electricity market.) The advanta- about the connection costs and the rank of the
ges given to the grid include other use of the extension by project in the waiting list.
current and future consumers and generators. The utili- • The operator has 4 months to prove the building per-
ty should co-finance or reimburse investments propor- mit deposit (administrative and technical information).
tionally to the benefits given to the grid by the extension. If not, the project is excluded from the waiting list.
It is recommended that the grid-connection costs paid by • Network operator then answer with a detailed
the investor only cover connection to the nearest medium connection study within 3 months (called technical
voltage grid (10-15 kilo Volt line). It is also recommended and financial propositions).
that the developers can choose to use open tender proce- • The operator has then 3 months to discuss and sig the
dures for his grid-connection and extension investments. proposition with the network authority (If not, the
It is further recommended that the distribution companies wind operator is removed from the waiting list)
pay reinforcement of grid and substations and that these • Acceptation by EdF
costs are distributed to all consumers in the country. Before the principle of amortising the network reinfor-
cement costs amongst the final consumers was retained,
the cost for reinforcement of the network was often very
National experience high and lead sometimes to the renunciation of the pro-
Belgium jects because developers couldn’t afford the expense.
Installations should be connected to « sub-station », i.e. a Now that this principle is specified on the law, for certain
transformer between the high voltage (over 70 KV) and projects located in areas where a grid reinforcement is
medium voltage (between 11 and 15KV) lines or between needed, we observe that the delay announced for rein-
medium voltage and low voltage (11 KV and under). forcing the network (several years sometimes) makes the
Applicants are recommended to submit the connection project unrealisable.
request as soon as possible to the grid operator in order This situation could lead to a general location of projects
to be assured of the project’s compatibility with the exis- where the network does not require to be reinforced (but
ting grid. This applies to Wallonie only; a new regulato- also often in less windy areas).
ry body is currently developing rules for Flanders. There is also a contribution for all producers to the funds
Connection charges vary according to the station, voltage of « public utility of the production of electricity ». A
level and connection type. The tariffs are fixed and revi- decree fixed the contribution at 0,33 c € / kWh for the
sed every year by the Commission of Regulation of year 2003, that is to say approximately 4% of the first 5
Electricity and Gas after a consultation of the grid mana- years tariff (8,38 c€), which is far from being negligible.
ger and of the grid users. Moreover this amount is revised regularly so therefore
The costs for the connection (study only, no works) are unforeseeable.
about 10,000 to 14,000 €.
The Netherlands
Denmark The investor(s) pay the connection to the (nearest) sub-
When the building permit is obtained, the power distri- station (60/10 kV transformer). The distribution com-
bution company has to provide a 10 or 15 kV line to the pany mostly does the installation of this line, but this is
site while the investor(s) pay transformer from lower ten- not a requirement by the law. Grid reinforcement costs
sion and cables from the individual turbines to the trans- are born by the distribution company.
PART 3
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND SPATIAL
CRITERIA AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
19
Noise
The limit is 45 dB at single houses and 40 dB at dwelling
Danish and Dutch noise norms work satisfactory; thus
areas, summerhouse areas, and recreation areas, with 8m/s
both can be recommended (see below). German norms
wind speed 10 m above ground at the site of the turbine.
are similar to Danish norms.
The noise is calculated at the neighbours based on a noise
The norms should apply in all areas (including indus-
measurement 1-2 times hub height downwind of the tur-
trial areas), except in and near areas with special requi-
bine ; thus the noise limit is effectively for a situation with
rements for low noise (e.g. silent areas). At such areas
the wind from the turbine to the neighbour(s).
windturbines should respect the local noise limits, but
scaled with the wind, preferably according to the
WindNormCurve 40. If e.g. the permitted noise level is France
5 dB(A) below the standard of 40 dB(A), the curve According to the law about noises of vicinity of the 31st
should be reduced 5 dB, i.e. start with 35 dB(A) at wind of December 1992, there is no maximum value indicated,
speed of 1 m/s. Windturbines siting should not be limi- but a maximum noise emergence authorised from an
ted with fixed distances to low-noise areas. initial measured surrounding noise.
This means that a noise measurement (at nearest neigh-
bour) is required before wind turbines implementation.
The maximum authorised emergence (difference between
noises measured before and after the turbines are imple-
mented) is fixed up to 3 dbA at night and 5 dbA during
daytime.
It is specified that this should be measured with a wind
speed of 5 m/s, but this is not representative as most
wind turbines are not operating with this wind speed,
and thus it is expected that this will be revised.
The Netherlands
The Limiting value is 40 dB(A) on the nearest house.
The Correction with Wind Norm Curve :
SOURCE : OVE
60
55
National experience 50
50 48
47
Belgium 43 44
46
45
The respecting of conditions is imposed everywhere in the 42 42
LAr,LT [dB(A)]
40 40 41 41
emission zones and the threshold has been fixed at 40dB(a) 40
in Wallonie Regions. Measurements are taken outside

35
housing constructions, if possible at least 3.50metres from
De WindNormCurve
any reflective structure other than the ground. With wind 30
WNC-40
speeds of less than 5m/s (for higher wind speeds, measu- 25
rements are distorted by the noise of ambient wind).
20
Though wind turbines only produce noise when the wind 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
operates them, which is above wind speed of 5 m/s, the Windsnelheid op 10 m hoogte in [m/s]
Dutch noise curve is applied in practice to estimate the
real noise impact.
In the Flemish region, the local authority can decide on the Using this curve the noise can be 44 db(A) at wind speed
permitted noise level depending on background noise. of 8 m/s and 50 dB at 12 m/s.
20 Environmental and spatial criteria

Shadow flicker
It is recommended at neighbouring dwellings and offi-
Belgium
ces that flickering shadows are not exceeding 30 hours
In Wallonie, the government recommends to apply the
/year or 30min. per day with normal variation in wind
threshold of tolerance that are fixed on the German pat-
directions and with clear sky. (This follows the German
tern, that is 30hrs per year and 30 min per day. In prac-
norm of 30 hours a year at clear sky).
tice, they are always applied as condition to obtain the
permit and must be studied in the EIA.
Denmark
Recommendation: max. 10 hours/year allowed at neigh-
bouring dwellings with average cloud cover.
France
No recommendation are fixed, but the calculation of the
occurrence of the shadow flicker at the nearest neigh-
bours should be indicated in the EIA.
SOURCE : NEG MICON The Netherlands

When there is more than 20 minutes per day, 17 days per
year (5 hours 40 min / year calculated, with clear sky), at
neighbours it is regarded as a nuisance, which is unac-
ceptable, and a standstill device is requested
SOURCE : OVE
Environmental and spatial criteria 21

Landscape
Windturbine siting must consider the influence on the
Belgium
landscape and windturbines should be integrated into
In Flanders landscape integration is a major issue. Wind-
the landscape. Where feasible this can include creation
turbines should not affected the open space and therefore
of links between the windturbines and other landscape
wind turbines are preferably located near existing infra-
elements. These links can be made with lines or clusters
structures like harbours, industrial area’s etc.
of windturbines that follows natural or man-made struc-
As one of the only regions in Europe it is in general not
tures in the landscape. Where relevant (in open landsca-
allowed to locate wind turbines in agriculture area’s
pes), it is recommended that windturbines are not closing
except if a designated area has been created. This is nor-
a large part of the view ; certain permeability should be
mally only done by the regional authorithies (although it
maintained in the landscape.
is also possible at province or commune level) in area’s
In preparation of projects must be made correct visuali-
close to existing infrastructure.
sations of windturbines in the landscape, seen from dif-
For some provincies a landscape integration study was
ferent viewpoints, including viewpoints where many
made to define designated areas and the procedure to
people will see them. These visualisations must be well dis-
evaluate the landscape. The zone of visual influence is
tributed locally as basis for the local consultation before
normally defined up to 5 km.
the development.
The integration in the built site and not built is a major
It is recommended that a relevant authority gives crite-
condition for the permit. This point will be one of the big-
ria and advice on landscape issues at the start of projects
gest parts of the EIA and can be analysed in a study in ad-
to project developers without delay, to minimise project
dition to the EIA, before the determination of the turbi-
development risks.
ne installation’s place.
The following guidelines have been retained for the Wal-
loon’s Region :
• To guarantee harmony and visual balance by giving
preference to an « organic » type installation in
natural sites and a « geometric » type installation
in urban environments.
• Giving priority to parks whose wind turbines are
of a grey-white colour, of similar model or equal
proportions and to only accept three-blade propellers
with slow blade rotation speeds.
• Same proportion of the turbines and same direction
of rotation of all turbines
The siting of wind turbines is not advisable within the
perimeters of remarkable viewpoints, landscape inter-
ests, cultural, historic or aesthetic interests.
Regarding harmonisation of windturbines in parks, it is
recommended for the Walloon’s Region that :
• The « grouping » principle: priority is given to groups
of production units, rather than the dispersion
of individual wind turbines.
• Combined use through which the space available for
several compatible functions is also one of the
essential principles of this policy.
• The recommended distance between wind turbines
SOURCE : AVEL PEN AR BED
is equal to 7 times the diameter of the propeller when

in line with the prevailing winds and 4 times this
diameter for those perpendicular to the line of the
prevailing winds.
• To guarantee harmony and visual balance by giving
preference to an « organic » type installation in
natural sites and a « geometric » type installation
in urban environments.
Recommendations to promote integration (Wallonie) :
• Limit the park to wind turbines only
SOURCE : ECOFYS
Denmark
Windturbine plans must consider the influence on the
landscape. New windturbine groups must be clearly
separated from existing groups. Considerations must
include the character of the landscape, the new turbines sible wind parks already carried out or for which the
maximal height and the sites of existing turbines. request for authorisation to build is known.
A harmonic relation between hub height and rotor dia- In practice, this means that the location of a wind project
meter is recommended, e.g. that they are within 10% from should be defined on the basis of a landscape analysis,
each other. after the comparative study of the level of integration of
Windturbines should primarily be placed in groups, but several different options.
single turbine developments can be permitted. Wind-
turbines in groups should be ordered in an easily reco- The Netherlands
gnizable geometrical pattern. New windturbine groups Development may not have harmful consequences of the
must be clearly separated from existing groups. landscape, windturbine parks have to harmonise with
the landscape. This is regulated in the zoning plan or in
the landscape or urban plan.
The Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the
Environment recommends :
• As far possible, concentrate wind turbines on lines
and clusters.
• As far possible, combine wind turbines with
industrial sites
• As far as possible, strengthen large-scale man-made
SOURCE : WINDPOWER.COM
cut-through of the landscape like rail-, high-, and /

or waterways.
• Because of their size, wind turbines cannot be placed
individual in the landscape near farms.
• Preferably site wind turbines in young and
large-scale developed landscapes.
• Preferably site wind turbines on the border of open
areas in the landscape. Note: the effect of a visual
France fence around an open area has to be avoided.
The landscape consideration is among the most impor- • New wind turbines should preferably not be placed
tant of the EIA. In this document the project developer in open landscapes, unless they should fit in the
must give an explanation of the choice, including landscape very well.
research of visual harmony from the point of view of the • For the placing of wind turbines in « green contour
concerned landscape. areas » counts the « no, unless… »-consideration.
The landscape is a major stake of land planning and the In addition, the various provinces have developed their
choice of a site to establish a project should be studied own guidelines, with little difference though compared to
and justified from landscape considerations. the national guidelines. Most additional restrictions refer
From a general point of view, French Administration to mast height, number of wind turbines and number of
fears the multiplication of the operations that « can lead wind turbines in a cluster or line.
to phenomena of covisibility and in certain cases with Regarding harmonisation for windturbines in
landscape changes ». It is thus essential that the choice of parks/groups there is a preference for single or even-
a site, naturally directed towards spaces having an exploi- tually double line configurations along existing infras-
table wind potential, should be preceded, as of the first tructure.
investigations, of a study of the sensitivity of spaces concer-
ned and their aptitude to accommodate turbines.
As a consequence, each carrier of project must carry out
a landscape analysis on a big area, presenting several pos-
sible sites of establishment. This surface should not stop
SOURCE : ECOFYS
with administrative limits, and should integrate the pos-
23
Distance between
turbines and parks
If two groups of windturbines are closer than 2.5km apart,
It is recommended that windturbines are integrated in
both groups must be included in landscape planning.
the landscape including harmonisation with existing tur-
bines and coming windturbine projects that have started
the process to get permits. Only windturbines within a France
reasonable distance, proposed to 3 km, must be consi- As described before (see 3.3. landscape), the concept of
dered in this process. co-visibility – the area where more windturbine groups
can be seen must be described in EIA.
Since July 2003, the new law (law n°2003-590 about
Town planning and Habitat) stated that 2 wind parks
National experience should be at least 1,5 km distant.
Belgium
In Flanders region there are no rules regarding to distances. The Netherlands
The recommended distance between wind turbines is The required distance varies. It is regulated in regional
equal to 7 times the diameter of the propeller when in and (municipal) zoning plans.
line with the prevailing winds and 4 times this diameter
for those perpendicular to the line of the prevailing winds
(see 3.12).
Distance from housing

It is recommended that there is not fixed a specific mini-
Belgium
mum distance, but that the distance is decided according
No special rules are applied in general the distance
to noise, shadow flicker, and landscape considerations.
depends on the calculated noise or shadow criteria
In Flanders an indicative minimum distance is used of
250 m from nearby houses
Denmark
4 times total height, sometimes 500 m
France
Windturbines are generally not allowed in zones for hou-
sing as defined in municipal spatial plans (PLUs). There
is no special rules, the distance from nearest housing is
established on the basis of the noise nuisance and the
notion of noise emergence (see 3.1. Noise)
SOURCE : ECOFYS
The Netherlands
No special rules. Minimum distance depends on noise
and shadow nuisance.

Distance from roads,
railways and waterways
It is recommended that turbines be placed at a distance
Belgium
of at least the rotor radius from the edge of roads, rail-
In the Walloon Region, a distance equal to the height of
ways or waterways to the turbine tower (no overhang). In
the turbine is recommended in relation to national roads
countries and areas with risk of over-icing, turbines clo-
and railways. No distance is pre-defined from waterways
ser than their total height from the infrastructure should
that are rare and often inappropriate for the wind power
be stopped automatically in case of risk of icing, or other-
because located in valleys or other boxed zone.
wise protect neighbours from ice from turbine blades.
In the Flemish region, a risk analysis can be required for
For main railways, highways and major intersections,
projects near highways and railways.
special risk analysis can be required.
France
There is no special rules for wind turbines, but each roads,
according to its category (communal, main roads, motor-
way) has a defined distance back from the road in which
no construction at all is allowed.
The rules of constructibility and distance from the roads
are included in the local documents of town planning.
Generally, the roads are classified in various categories
according to their importance.
In all the cases, prohibition of overhang and in certain case,
application of the law Barnier (distance back to motor-
ways of 100 m but with possible exceptions locally).
SOURCE : ECOFYS
This means that there is no single rule, but that the cons-
traints vary according to the roads but also to geogra-
phical areas for the same road.
About the distance from railways and waterways, it seems
that only the prohibition of overhang is applied.
Denmark
This is decided on county level, but often is used a dis-
tance of 4 times total height to major roads and total
height to other roads and to railways. Denmark has very
few inland waterways.
The Netherlands
Half the rotor diameter, or at least 30 meters, from rail-
ways, highways and waterways. Special risk analysis
SOURCE : ECOFYS required at intersections. Risk analysis show that only under
the rotor is any considerable risk, except for ice, where the
risks are mainly at a distance up to total height of the turbine

Distance from high voltage lines
Recommendations France
There is no clear rules. A distance equal to the total
It is recommended that the distance from windturbine
height of the machine at least should be respected bet-
tower to the nearest high-voltage line is at least equal to
ween turbines and lines. Sometimes, a distance is given in
the rotor diameter.
local planning documents.
Belgium
In the Walloon Region, a distance equal to the height of
The Netherlands
The rotor diameter from the center of the windturbine to
the turbine is recommended in relation to power lines.
the nearest line, otherwise at least 30 m.
Denmark [refer to risk analysis study]
No general rules, the distance is decided by the county in
connection with planning permissions.
Distance from radio communication,

radar and navigation beacons
Wind turbines may not cause nuisance, distance to radio-
Windturbines must not cause nuisance with radio and
beam centreline typical 200 – 350 m.
radar equipment including navigation beacons. It is recom-
[aviation beacons, rules to be explained]
mended that authorities or suppliers of the different radio
technologies specify required distances to reduce interfe-
The Netherlands
rence to an acceptable level, and that they give technical
Wind turbines may not cause nuisance. Typically 30m
documentation for these distances.
from rotor tip to centreline of beam is used.
It is recommended that a windpower project that will
In case of proximity of navigational radar, an analysis
give nuisance to radio wave communication can decide
may be requested; these analysis mostly show that no
to pay compensatory measures, if technically feasible.
distortion takes place..
Because of the very different distance requirements in
different countries, it is recommended an exchange of
information between competent authorities of European Example
members states.
The Netherlands, telecommunication lines
National experience On a former rubbish dump site, a combined windfarm
with PV-system was planned. Five 1.3MW turbines would
Belgium be erected, together with 800kWp of PV panels. However,
In the Walloon Region, as a precautionary measure, wind a radio beam link crosses the site. After consultation with
turbines should normally be positioned at a distance of the competent authorities (KPN), it was resolved in August
100m from telecommunication lines. Furthermore, a dis- 2000 that : …In principle, the protection zone extents to
tance of 600m appears to be required from major emit- 100 m from each side of the heart line of the beam con-
ter antennas and radars, sometimes a distance of 7 km is nection. However, regarding wind turbines, a smaller
applied to navigation beacons. value can be adopted: 25 meters from the tip of the blade.
In the Flemish Region, the project developer must prove With a rotor diameter of 60 m, the turbine mast should
that the turbines will not affect the radio equipment. There- thus be positioned 25 + 60/2 = 55 m from the centerline
fore additional studies are sometimes necessary in the vin- of the beam. In case this numerical value would allow
cinity of radio, radar or other telecommunication devices. insufficient room for positioning the turbines, more
detailed calculations should assess whether a closer
France distance is also possible. In any case, placing of turbines
There is not distance fixed. Each project should receive in the heart of the beam connection must be avoided.
the agreement of implementation from aeronautical aut- The allowed distance of 55 meters provided enough
horities, and from Radio-electricity & Telecom services. space to locate the turbines in an optimal configuration,
as can be seen in the photomontage above.
Distance to historical
sites and buildings
100 m, sometimes more, e.g. 300 m, or dependant on
It is recommended to consider historical sites and buil-
landscape considerations based on visualisations. Turbi-
dings in the landscape evaluation, to avoid that windtur-
nes at short distances to churches have been seen as a
bines negatively dominate these places.
problem, because they can dominate the site.
It is recommended that relevant authorities should give
their advices on this matter to project developers wit-
hout delay, to minimise project development risks. France
Projects nearer than 500 m from historical monuments
National experience require an approval from the «Architect of Ancient Monu-
ments (AAM) » to obtain a building permission.
Belgium In practice such distance is applied from every historical
The siting of wind turbines is not advisable within the sites and building for wind turbines.
following perimeters, owing to their a priori incompati-
ble nature (Wallonie): remarkable viewpoint, cultural,
historic or aesthetic interest. Across and close to these The Netherlands
area’s, the advise of the competent authority (Regional Distances are regulated in zoning planes, made by the
Commission of Monuments and sites) is needed. municipalities
Distance to natural reserves

and other protected areas
The includes EU wildlife protection areas, RAMSAAR, Denmark
Natura 2000, ... 300 m is the usual distance to forests, but to some areas
e.g. RAMSAAR areas, are often required 500-800 m.
Recommendations
It is recommended that windturbines are not placed in France
Ramsaar and bird protection areas. For other protection Projects located in protected areas require permission
areas, for surroundings of areas (buffer zones), and for from the Ministry of Environment, but no distance from
offshore developments is recommended an assessment these sites is mentioned.
of the effect of the development on the fauna and flora Nevertheless, some distances to respect are sometimes
that is protected. Experience shows that negative effects mentioned in documents such as departmental charter or
on protected bird life are usually found in distances up guidelines. This is the case for the « Côtes d’Armor » gui-
to 200-300 m from bird protection areas. delines which defines « sensitive areas » in which any tur-
More research is (still) needed on how birds adapt to wind bine, because of its characteristics, is expected to have a big
turbines and how this can influence distances required. environmental impact. Such areas include zones of eco-
logical or landscape interests and crowded sites from a
National experience tourism point of view. Areas close to the shore of the sea
are also attached to it, significant natural spaces as well as
Belgium the surroundings of the « incompatible sectors » on a dis-
The siting of wind turbines is not recommended within the tance of at least 2 km
following perimeters, owing to their a priori incompati-
ble nature(Wallonie): ecological connection, foreseeable The Netherlands
natural risk or major geotechnical constraint and pro- Wind turbines are not allowed in the EHS, unless...
tection perimeter in the sense of legislation for the pro- (Ecologische hoofdstructuur ; Ecological main structure
tection of fauna. It can however be permitted if the EIA is a protected area). It is not allowed to develop wind tur-
shows that there is no unacceptable impact. The advise of bines in birds directive areas, except nearby highways
the competent authorities or of experts is always needed. and / or railways through those area’s.
In Flanders region siting close to area’s with important
natural wildlife or fauna. Additional research has to be
carried out by the institute of nature conservation (IN) ;
In general exclusion area’s of 200 to 700 m are applied. Environmental and spatial criteria 27
Distance to water bodies
No construction is allowed at a distance of less than 500
It is recommended that distance to water bodies should
meters from sea or lakes in application of the littoral law.
not be based on fixed exclusion distances, but on lands-
The rules of constructibility and distance from the water
cape considerations.
bodies could be locally adapted and are included in the
local documents of town planning.
National experience The « Côtes d’Armor » guidelines also excludes areas
close to the sea (see the previous chapter).
Belgium
In Flanders waterways are often used as location to install
turbines (preferably along canals). The distance is in
general at least the rotor radius.
In Wallonie, the impact and the risk of siting a wind tur-
bine along water bodies must be carefully studied in the
EIA. Nevertheless, because of their location (not adapted
for windy conditions), there will be rarely a demand to
install turbines at those places.
Denmark SOURCE : CAUE DE L’AUDE SOURCE : NEG MICON

150 meters to lakes above 4 ha, sometimes also to rivers.
Special planning for 3 km from sea, require special lands-
cape consideration to permit turbines in this zone, but it The Netherlands
is possible. 50 meters to waterways. No limit for waters bodies which
Windturbines should be at least 100 meters from the are not waterways.
coast except in industrial areas (e.g., harbours)
Distance to forests
300 m to forests
It is recommended to integrate windturbines into the land-
Special silent areas are not used as planning criteria in
scape and minimise harm to nature, in particular to pro-
Denmark, but noise regulation is stricter to recreation
tected species and areas. It is not recommended to exclu-
areas than to other areas and single dwellings.
de forests from windpower developments (though most
forests are not suited for windpower development).
France
No distance is indicated, but a distance could be possi-
National experience bly included in town planning documents. However, a
Belgium good site is generally a relatively released space. When a
In flanders the distance is dependant on the « value » of potential zone is located in a context characterised by a
the forest regarding to wildlife, birds etc. It is a part of the rather strong vegetable cover (forests or wood), rough-
evaluation of the IN. ness is rather strong and wind potential not so good.
In Wallonie, the legal criterion of integration in the built
and not built site is interpreted by the Government as The Netherlands
incompatible with a location of windturbine in forests The distance varies. It is regulated in regional and zoning
and silent areas. No buffer zone is clearly indicated. plans.
Wind turbine placing in silent areas is prohibited.

Protection of flora and fauna
Fauna and flora studies should be part of the environ-
Belgium
mental assessments to be made before development of
Impact on wildlife, particularly birds (Walloon’s Region):
windpower projects, also when a full EIA is not required.
The EIA have to evaluate the impact in the area’s bree-
Particular caution should be taken in bird migration
ding population, to identify the species which use it as a
routes and around bird protection areas.
resting or feeding spot, or if it contains resting and fee-
Since most effects are often caused during construction,
ding areas or is part of a migration corridor for migrant
special measures should be taken to reduce negative
species and assess the potential losses of biotopes and
effects of construction on flora and fauna.
other permanent disruptions suffered by birds. To do
this, the author of the EIA must make references to exis-
ting study or advice of experts. If the project is localised
in a bird’s resting, feeding or reproduction area or in an
important migratory corridor, a special study has to be
conduct. In general, those areas are better avoided. If
there is no EIA required, a special study has to be done
on those topics. The compatibility of wind turbine with
other species is recognized, but must be checked in the
EIA. In Natura 2000 areas and natural reserves, the
authorisation of the competent authority is requested.
The installation of turbines in those sites is not always
refused, but will be refused in the sensitive locations of
the site, according to the kind of species protected and its
sensibility.
In Flanders region the Institute of nature conservation
will give a recommendation per site.
SOURCE : WINDPOWERPHOTOS.COM
Denmark
The required EIA includes a fauna study. For smaller
developments environmental impact study should inclu-
de fauna impacts. Placing in bird migration routes needs
a special consideration, and can be a reason for rejection
of a project.
France
In every case, a preliminary verification of the environ-
mental constraints beside the DIREN (Environmental
Regional Direction) is necessary for the location of the
project. Then, the study of the impacts on wildlife is part
of the EIA. A flora and fauna (especially birds) impact
analysis is required on a period of one year !
The Netherlands
The initiator has to do a fauna study before developing
wind energy. Placing in bird migration routes or in mea-
dow bird grazing areas is not prohibited

Example
Impacts on birds : France, the case
of « Port la Nouvelle » wind park
The study of the wind farm of «Port La nouvelle» (5 tur-
bines with a mast of 40 m and blades of 19,5 m) shows
no direct impact (no bird wounded or killed by direct
collision in 5 years), but more precise follow-ups are
recommended (dense covered vegetation).
The follow-up of the migration pre and postnuptial on
the wind park was carried out over one year
(Abies/Géokos/LPO Aude 1997). The wind mills imple-
mented perpendicular to the principal migratory axis
were considered as a dangerous establishment. The
follow-up did not allowed to discover corpses on the
wind site. Besides, very few flights were observed
through wind mills when they all are moving. An increa-
se in these passages is noted when one or more wind
mills are stopped.
Various studies and observations show that the birds

establish strategies of flight plan adapted to the wind
mills. Nevertheless, The identification of the wind mills
by birds implies :
SOURCE : LPO/ABIES
• Change of the axis of the flight (about 75 % of

the birds reacted to the presence of a wind
turbine running.
• A higher flight or at the opposite, a flight under
the turbines (in Tarifa, the overflight of migrating
is 100 m to the top of the wind mills against 60 m
above the ground in the zones without wind mills).
The wind problems with birds appeared in Europe at the So there is not so much problems with birds, but these
beginning of the Nineties, that is relatively recent. Reser- reactions result in :
ves as for methodologies used accommodated the first • An additional expense of energy for the bird
alarming results of follow-ups carried out in California, • A deviation of the flight sometimes though areas
on the site of Altamont (1988) in particular. In France, the with infrastructures (train, power lines...) with
follow-ups of « Port La Nouvelle » (1997) and « Garrigue more significant impacts
Haute» (2002) are the only studies completed. Follow-ups
of wind parks under operation are in hand and the years From a general point of view, the studies undertaken in
which come should enable us to better know the risks. France and throughout the world show that birds and
wind turbines can cohabit.
The impacts can be direct or indirect and can relate to But direct and indirect impacts on birds are not negligi-
the nesting (N) and the migrating (M), as the table sum- ble and the sites chosen must take care of the bird’s con-
marises it below : text at local and regional level.
On the whole, it is strongly advised not to set up wind
Direct impacts Indirect impacts turbines in the corridors of the migration flights and
Collision risk (N and M) Behavioural disturbances near the areas of rare / threatened nesting species.
(N and M)
Loss of biotope (N) Modification of the
trajectory of Migrating
Failure of the Reduction in
reproduction (N) the food resource (N)

Defence constraints
Within 12km from defence installations, the military must
It is recommended that the military be consulted for
be consulted
developments nearer than 12 km from defence installa-
tions and in zones of special military interest such as France
low-flying zones. The Ministry of Defence must answer In France a developer must consult the military aviation
without delay whether proposed projects are in above authority that will give its approval or rejection of a deve-
zones of military interests. lopment on a given site, based on interference with mili-
tary activities. No more information is given.
National experience The Netherlands
Belgium A special authorisation is required within 15 km around
The military authorities are always consulted in the per- defence airfields.
mit process and their authorisation is needed in area
devoted to military activities. A non-official map is avai-
lable by the Army that give indication on excluded areas.
Aviation Constraints
No turbines in airport in fly funnels. Some counties set
It is recommended that turbines are excluded from air-
exclusion zones around airports. Turbines above 100 m
port in fly funnels ; but are permitted around airports,
total height are subject to special analysis, in particular in
where they do not interfere with aviation.
low fly zones; but permissions have been given even to
It is recommended that windturbines can be permitted
turbines above 100 m in low fly zones.
in low fly zones, also military. Restrictions on low-fly
The aviation authority can demand that turbines with
zones must be negotiated with the relevant authorities
total height above 100 m should be marked (with light).
on a case-by-case basis.
Turbines above 150 m should always be marked. Dif-
It is recommended that windturbines less than 100 m
ferent warning lights are tested, including lights on top of
have no lights or markings.
nacelle, lights on wing-tips that only light up when the
For turbines above 100 m total height is recommended
wing-tip is above a certain height. Some of these lights
no obligatory marking on the tower.
are only visible from the air, not from the ground.
It is recommended that a process be started to develop
European recommendations for lighting of turbines above
100m total height in a dialogue among windpower inter- France
ests, aviation authorities and nature protection interests. Windpower projects must obtain permits from civil and
military aviation authorities. They can set limitations on
height and demand lights for increased visibility from
National experience the air. In certain cases the military have limited the per-
Belgium mitted total height to 75 m in so-called low-flying zones.
In addition to the requirement that windturbines do not These zones are quite large in some parts of France (espe-
interfere with aviation, the aeronautical authorities can cially in Finistery).
request the marking of wind turbines, when necessary. In
the Walloon Region, the type of marking requested The Netherlands
consists of a white type A flash, with 360° visibility and Turbines in military low fly zones or in airport in fly fun-
a red light (for night visibility) on the nacelle and red mar- nels are not encouraged, but according to the law, can be
king along the last 2 metres of the blade. In the zones for assessed.
the helicopters, also white flash and red marking along No requirements for lights below 100 m mast height [not
the mast (1/7th of the mast height). total height]

Ground occupation
(access roads, sheds)
As part of the EIA, the project developers must give an
It is recommended that access roads be kept to a mini-
explanation of the treatments of the direct surroundings
mum to preserve farmland.
of the site: technical local, compensatory measures on
It is recommended that land under windturbines can be
reshaped areas (access path, connection cables, etc.).
used for agricultural and appropriate industrial purpo-
Generally, it is recommended to use the existing access
ses, such as storage of non-risk materials.
paths and to avoid levellings of slope or other significant
impact on the initial area (most of the time with an agri-
Belgium cultural destination).
In the Walloon and Flanders regions it is recommended
to bury the foundations and keep access roads to a mini-
mum, in particular by using the existing roads. Site reme-
The Netherlands
No universal recommendations. Some municipalities
diation is required at the end of its lifetime.
operate their own guidelines, these vary.
Denmark
It is recommended that these should be minimised to
preserve farmland. As part of that some counties recom-
mend to use existing farming roads and field borders.

Conclusion
From WP8 partners’ experiences and within strong differences both on level of development and growth
of development between the countries, some relevant conclusions could be extracted.
Public support is generally strong in surveys as sustainable development also for energy production is beginning
to be of real concern among citizens’. However, some movements of radical opposition and NIMBY attitudes
toward wind projects are observed.
Some factors can explain this current situation (it is the case in Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France and other
countries) : Location of wind projects is made by developers (France and Belgium in particular) with no overall
background consideration at local level. Therefore, judgement of projects by administrative authorities and planners
is often difficult. A case by case instruction is the rule in such situations.
Wind energy is a major planning matter at local level (mostly because of the landscape aspects). Spatial planning
of wind turbines is of major interest both for elected politicians and for citizens. It is often the main obstacle
for wind energy development (Germany).
Public support for windpower and the complex situations with local protests and unclear planning procedures
lead to wind spatial planning with concerted effort (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands). This also means a chance
for local investment, that is another major strike for public acceptance (in the field of the PREDAC project, the
WP1 – www.cler.org/predac/wp1 – studies this aspect in details).
This also means policy choices and institutional matters on national level (including laws to oblige municipalities
or other local authorities to plan for windturbines). Is the future of a territory to be decided by anybody else but the
concerned elected leaders and the citizens ? We feel that spatial planning established at local level (with concerted
practices) is the only way to achieve targets fixed at European level (for countries like France or Belgium especially).
These guidelines examines the wind energy spatial planning problems in the European partners’ countries. From
a comparative review of methods and criteria used, this guidelines propose to compile the planning procedures
in different countries and make recommendations. Over the last few years, the need for a special approach for wind
energy in planning policy has become more and more obvious (first in Germany and Denmark, then in Holland,
Belgium and France, according to the level of development of wind energy). Nevertheless, regarding to each social
and political context, some strong differences occurred, and criteria or assumptions used in wind planning are
different from countries to countries. As a consequence, recommendations sometimes do not fit precisely to national
context. Therefore these proposed guidelines include a minimum of recommendations, that are chosen to be useful
in as many situations as possible.
conclusion 33
contacts
Denmark Netherland
OVE Ecofys
Organisationen for Vedvarende Energi Contact Bernard van Hemert
Danish association for renewable Postbus 8408
energies 3503 RK Utrecht
European Cooperation Office tel (+31) (0) 30 280 8300
Contact Gunnar Boye Olesen fax (+31) (0) 30 280 8301
Dannebrogsgade 8A, DK-8000 Aarhus C email info@ecofys.nl
Gl. Kirkevej 82, 8 530 Hjortshoej site web www.ecofys.nl
Danemark Germany
tel (+45) 86227000 BWE
fax (+45) 86227096 Bundesverband WindEnergie,
email ove@inforce.org German Wind Energie association
site web www.orgve.dk Contact Jochen Twele
Herrenteichstrasse 1
Belgium 49074 Osnabruck Allemagne
Apere tel (+49) (0) 302 848 21 05
Belgium association for the email j.twele@wind-energie.de
Promotion of Renewable Energies site web http://www.wind-energie.de/
Contact Annabelle Jacquet
Rue de la Révolution France
7-1000 Brussels Belgium Avel pen ar bed
tel (+32) (0) 2 218 78 99 éoliennes en Bretagne
fax (+32) (0) 2 219 21 51 Association for the Promotion
email info@apere.org of Wind Energy in Brittany
site web www.apere.org Contact Yann Rochard, Bertrand Poyet0
3E engineering 1 rue de la fontaine St-Pierre
Contact Luc Dewilde 29 470 Plougastel Daoulas
Verenigingsstraat 39, tel (+33) (0) 2 98 37 89 29
1000 Brussel Belgique fax (+33) (0) 2 98 40 32 17
tel (+32) (0) 2 229 15 22 email avel@infini.fr
fax (+32) (0) 2 219 79 89 site web www.apab.org
email luc.dewilde@3E.be CLER
site web www.3E.be French renewable energy network
Contact Emmanuel Poussard
2b rue Jules Ferry
93100 Montreuil
tel (+33) (0) 1 55 86 80 00
fax (+33) (0) 1 55 86 80 01
email predac@cler.org
site web www.cler.org
34 contacts
Notice to the reader
A great deal of information on the European Union is available
on the Internet. It can be accessed through the Europa server
(http://europa.eu.int).
The overall objective of the European Union’s energy policy is to help ensure
sustainable energy system for Europe’s citizens and businesses, by supporting
and promoting secure energy supplies of high service quality at competitive prices
and in an environmentally compatible way. The European Commission’s Directorate-
General for Energy and Transport initiates, coordinates and manages energy policy
actions at transnational level in the fields of solid fuels, oil and gas, electricity,
nuclear energy, renewable energy sources and the efficient use of energy.
The most important actions concern maintaining and enhancing security
of energy supply and international cooperation, strengthening the integrity
of energy markets and promoting sustainable development in the energy field.
A central policy instrument is its support and promotion of energy research,
technological development and demonstration, principally through the Energie
sub-programme (jointly managed with the Directorate-General for Research)
within the theme “Energy, environment and sustainable development”
under the European Union’s fifth framework programme for RTD.
This contributes to sustainable development by focusing on key activities
crucial for social well-being and economic competitiveness in Europe.
Other programmes managed by the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport,
such as SAVE, Altener and Synergy, focus on accelerating the market uptake
of cleaner and more efficient energy systems through legal, administrative,
promotional and structural change measures on a trans-regional basis.
As part of the wider energy framework programme, they logically complement
and reinforce the impacts of Energie.
The Internet web site address for the fifth framework programme is:
http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/home.html
Further information on Energy and Transport DG activities is available
at the Internet web site address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/index_en.html
The European Commission

Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B-1049 Brussels
Fax (32-2) 2956118
TREN-info@cec.eu.int

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What is the overall objective of the European Union's energy policy?

What is the overall objective of the European Union's energy policy?

What are some of the most important actions of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and Transport?

What are some of the most important actions of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and Transport?

Source : Nordex GmbH

Guidelines & Comparison of European Experiences

with the support of the European Commission

The European Commission

Annabelle Jacquet (APERe, Wallonia – Belgium)

graphism Atelier des grands pêchers

As a consequence, the general objectives of a wind energy spatial planning are :

Different aspects of Spatial Planning for Windpower 4

Environmental and spatial

• While some countries have had success with a

Recommendations National experience

Examples of integration of wind power

In the areas identified as «emblematic landscapes», the

scénario 1 scénario 2 scénario 3

The landscape impact analysis is the most important part

SOURCE : NEG MICON

Recommendations • The Municipal or Regional Commission

in Wallonie Regions. Measurements are taken outside

20 Environmental and spatial criteria

SOURCE : NEG MICON The Netherlands

Environmental and spatial criteria 21

is equal to 7 times the diameter of the propeller when

cut-through of the landscape like rail-, high-, and /

with administrative limits, and should integrate the pos-

Distance from housing

24 Environmental and spatial criteria

Environmental and spatial criteria 25

Distance from radio communication,

Distance to natural reserves

Denmark SOURCE : CAUE DE L’AUDE SOURCE : NEG MICON

28 Environmental and spatial criteria

Environmental and spatial criteria 29

Various studies and observations show that the birds

• Change of the axis of the flight (about 75 % of

30 Environmental and spatial criteria

Environmental and spatial criteria 31

32 Environmental and spatial criteria

The European Commission

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