Elsevier

Renewable Energy

Volume 40, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 137-149
Renewable Energy

Technical note
Wind energy development in Cantabria, Spain. Methodological approach, environmental, technological and social issues

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2011.09.008Get rights and content

Abstract

The different stages in the planning of wind power development and the pre-assessment of suitability of the territory in the province of Cantabria are described. The methodological approach used is explained. This approach included three main steps: a general environmental assessment of the whole province to identify potentially suitable areas on the basis of environmental criteria; a second, more detailed assessment of those areas using additional analyses and environmental criteria; an assessment of potential visual effects based on both measurable parameters and visual perception. Emphasis is placed on visual analysis and impact issues. Criteria and parameters used and technological simulation tools developed for the assessment of visual impacts and mitigation measures are discussed and results obtained shown. A description is also presented of political and social reactions to wind energy development plans. The results of the study indicate that the 1400 MW planned would be possible without important environmental effects, if wind farms are restricted to the 2% of the province identified as potentially suitable. Also, that simulation tools developed make it possible to rapidly and reliably represent and assess potential visual modifications. These tools can thus be used not only for expert’s assessment, but also as a means to facilitate social participation in the planning process.

Highlights

► A strategy for wind power development in the whole of Cantabria, Spain is described. ► Emphasis is placed on visual aspects, including visual impact mitigation. ► Site selection and visual assessment methodology and tecnologies are explained. ► Technology developed helps in public participation mitigation measures design. ► Social issues raised and public reaction to wind power development are discussed.

Section snippets

Objectives of the contribution

The purpose of this contribution is to present a strategy for the development of wind energy in the province of Cantabria (Fig. 1), including a description of the different steps of the process, an explanation of the criteria and procedures used for the selection of potentially suitable sites, as well as the methodological and technological tools developed and applied. Emphasis is placed on aspects related to visual assessment. Also, a description is made of the social reaction when the issue

Background

The starting point of the process was the approval in 2005, by the Government of Cantabria, of PLENERCAN (Energy Plan for Cantabria 2006–2011) [1]; see Table 1. In 2005, Cantabria was generating 4.1% of its energy use, a quantity much lower than the Spanish average (19.3%). Thus, there was a proposal for increasing the ratio of energy self-supplying, promoting the consumption of renewable energies and establishing policies for saving and efficiency. Related to electric energy, the level of

Methodological approach

The approach used included an initial, coarse-grain analysis of the whole territory of Cantabria based on environmental factors and further, more detailed analyses of areas thus identified considering additional environmental, social and landscape factors. The whole process was carried out in three steps.

  • Step 1

    This step, based on the use of GIS technologies, consisted of definition of a series of relevant characteristics related to wind resource and environmental factors. Databases and digital maps

Step 1. Identification of potentially suitable areas

The initial selection process consisted of GIS exclusion of areas based on the environmental and technical conditions described in Table 2. This is a GIS process similar to the ones described in [5], [6], [7], [8]. The final result obtained is shown in Fig. 2 and Table 3. The total area identified in this step as potentially suitable represents just over 2% of the total territory of Cantabria and 6% of the area with adequate wind resource.

Step 2. Detailed analysis of initially selected polygons

The selection in the former step represents a

Mitigation methodology

Using an interactive 3D simulation system with real-time response mitigation possibilities can be assessed, through the resettlement of wind turbines and establishment of visual barriers, usually trees. This type of analysis can be used for local mitigation effects (views from specific points) but not for the overall effects of a wind farm, unless it is considered as the sum of the reductions achieved at individual viewpoints. In any case, the benefits of different mitigation measures can be

Technological tool as a social participation tool

The results of the analysis described above, contained in the project entitled “Environmental Strategy for Wind Energy Development in Cantabria” were used by the Provincial Government of Cantabria (together with other materials) for information to municipal officials and general public. A bus was equipped with a reception desk where the entire project could be reviewed, as well as a presentation space for the 14 virtual environments on a 42-inch TFT screen and a projection room where some of

Public policy decisions and social reaction

In 2009, regional authorities drafted a new ordinance regulating the installation of wind farms in Cantabria [18]. With the previous regulation “master plans” were to be drafted by promoters and submitted to the Provincial Government for assessment and approval. In the new norm this is replaced by an invitation to tender for wind development in the province, providing a transparent and competitive procedure. The present study together with others dealing with technical, economic and social

Some lessons to be learned and tools to address visual issues

It should be pointed out that the view chosen by the opposition platform and the image published in the press is a serious reminder that reaching the maximum scenario of 1400 MW is something that should be considered with caution. Cantabria is a region of renowned beauty and appreciation of landscape as a resource is deeply rooted in the local society. In this sense, the objections from the platforms of opponents are worthy of attention. In any case, there is nothing suggesting that the

Conclusions

The general assessment carried out through the step-wise application of exclusion criteria using a GIS platform- has shown that 116 km2 of the territory of Cantabria (about 2%) could host wind farms without important effects on the environment or historical/archaeological heritage. This represents about 6% of the area with adequate wind resources but could allow the installation of the total power planned.

The GIS-supported simulation and computer graphics tools developed and the parameters and

Acknowledgments

The work described was supported by the Department of Industry of the Government of Cantabria (Consejería de Industria, Gobierno de Cantabria), through a Contract between GENERCAN and the University of Cantabria. The visual assessment software has been developed with funds from the “Plan Nacional de I+D+i” (National R&D Plan), Spain (Project 800018/A04, 2005-08). The work described was carried out under full academic neutrality. The authors thank the institutions involved for their respect of

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