Unanimous “no” to the Xirovouni wind farm

The municipal council of North Tzoumerka gave a unanimous negative opinion on the entire Environmental Impact Study and the Special Ecological Assessment for the construction of a Wind Power Plant, with an installed capacity of 44 MW, and its accompanying projects, in the “Garden” location, part of which is located in the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of North Tzoumerka (DE Katsanochoria).

This is the second time, that the Municipality of North Tzoumerko has taken a negative stance towards the specific project, asking for its rejection, as the EIA shows serious deficiencies and the negative consequences for the wider area are proven. Deficiencies that are documented in detail in a 24-page opinion, which was compiled by experts from the Municipality of North Tzoumerko, providing it free of charge to the Municipality.

Among other things, the following conclusions emerge:

1. The researchers, through what they cite in the EIA, fail to document the necessity of the project at the local level and highlight the benefits that the North Tzoumerko Municipality and its residents will have from its operation.

2. The project is included in a zone where, according to the revised Regional Spatial Framework (RPP) of Epirus, it is in principle considered suitable for the siting of wind farms. However, the map in the annex does not reflect it, forming in a sense a gray area of ​​the Regional Plan, for which the Administration should formulate an opinion and based on this review the compatibility of the project with this level of planning.

3. From what is mentioned in the study, no mention is made of the detailed wind data, the methods of collecting the base data and the climatology of the area, elements which, according to the researchers, influenced the design of the park and the choice of the proposed type of wind turbines.

4. The researchers of the project do not manage to document the degree of disturbance and degradation of the landscape, which according to the Epirus PPH is classified as of National Importance. Indicative is the absence of any photographic documentation of the study area, the result of field research that would substantiate the scholars’ statements. Also, the perspective of the work by the scholars is one-sided, since no photographic/photorealistic depiction of the perspective of the work towards the mountain range of the Athamani Mountains and Haradra of Arachthos is provided.

5. From the analysis of the effects of the project, individually and in synergy with the neighboring project of RENEX Aeolian Arta, on the fauna and based on the comments that have been formulated in detail in this opinion on it, the well-founded concern is expressed that its real consequences have significantly underestimated.

6. It is not documented that its environmental and energy benefits for the study area outweigh its negative effects on the local flora and fauna, which are considered not to have been adequately evaluated and with the necessary technical documentation.

7. The analysis of the position of the considered project is based on the rejection of the formulated alternative scenario. As documented by this opinion, the alternative scenario proposed is not feasible. By extension, the EIA cannot document the technical and environmental advantage of the considered installation location of the wind farm.

In addition, special reference was made to the thorough and scientifically documented analysis of the EIA by Alexandros Manopoulos, which has been submitted to the Department of Environment and Spatial Planning of Epirus, as part of the consultation, and which documents the serious risks to the populations of the avian species in the area .

In his presentation, the mayor of North Tzoumerko, Nikos Vaitsis, emphasized that the position of the Municipality is not initially negative for RES projects. in the region, on the contrary, such projects of small power, which do not affect, in a dangerous way, the natural balance and the development perspective of the region, can be done and harmoniously integrated into the environment. He wondered, however, how the municipal councilors will be able to decide, since there is no zoning framework for A.P.E. neither in the country, nor at the level of the Region, nor at the level of the Municipality.

“Our Municipality has joined the preparation of the Local Urban Planning Plans, a very important development, which will begin to be implemented from next June. Through the preparation of the T.P.S. land uses will arise based on the development prospects of each region and community of our Municipality and of course a framework for utilizing the Municipality’s energy stock. Therefore, based on this plan, each municipal council will have a tool in its hands for making a fully justified decision”, he said characteristically, pointing out that the licensing and construction process of every RES project must be suspended, which is designed in absentia within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality.