Wind turbines, photovoltaic systems

Spatial planning programme of the Upper Austrian Provincial Government regarding Part 2 of the spatial energy plan for the construction of wind turbines and photovoltaic systems (Upper Austrian Spatial Energy Planning Ordinance, Part 2 – Acceleration zones)

The purpose of the spatial planning programme is to implement Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (Renewable Energy Directive, RED III). To achieve the goals for expanding renewable energy, suitable areas must be identified and set out as spatially defined acceleration areas – supplemented by effective mitigation measures – in a spatial planning programme.

The aim is to manage the expansion of renewable energy through spatial planning, to concentrate it in specific areas and to facilitate its development in areas where there is less potential for conflict.
Among other things, the nature conservation mitigation measures provided for in Annexes 14 and 15, which accompany the acceleration of the construction of renewable energy installations, also contain technical provisions in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/1535, which is why the ordinance as a whole is subject to notification. The core of the Ordinance itself – the designation of acceleration zones – does not contain any technical provisions subject to notification.
The nature conservation mitigation measures primarily comprise provisions on site selection (e.g. protection of breeding grounds, protection of drinking water), on the design of the facilities (e.g. to avoid attracting birds or to enable agricultural use) and on removal measures following the cessation of operations.