EU Green Deal and Transformation of Energy Sector With Emphasis on Renewable Solar Energy Sources and Their Environmental Impacts

Abstract: The research refers to Sustainable Development Goals and the transformation of the energy sector in connection with environmental protection aspects and the European goals of the Green Deal Transformation of decarbonization by 2050. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) and it’s screening present the important instrument for coordination with economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable development. The paper presents the experiences with screenings examples of solar power plants in small-scaled landscapes in Slovenia and criteria for determining environmental impacts and evaluating impacts on the environment, health, cultural heritage, biodiversity, and water. All 26 cases of major solar power plants from 2015 to 2023 that were the subject of “Screening procedures”, were analyzed and examined the consideration of criteria for evaluating environmental effects. The research showed that the share of bigger self-standing solar power plants has increased in the last three years. In the case of prior expert location selection, it was possible to determine insignificant environmental impacts for 84% and significant for 16% of the projects. The reasons lie in their locations, sensitive in sensitive mountain, forest, water, natural values, or biodiversity important areas. For such projects the criteria identified significant impacts on the environment, must be examined in more detail in full EIA. The research proves that the speed and efficiency of the EIA screenings changed over the years, increased significantly due to greater competences of the project preparers and the ministries, organizations and public. But some case still refers to an area with environmental burdens or protected and sensitive areas, which lengthens the procedures in time. To achieve the goal of increasing the share of solar energy and make processes more efficient, it makes sense to use the current knowledge, criteria and avoid such areas. It is also recommended to exchange of the knowledge among private and public project investitures, public, ministries and organization to meet renewable targets.

Key words: sustainable development, renewable energy, solar plants, screening, environmental impact assessment

JEL codes: Q