The power sector’s twelve labours for a nature-positive energy transition

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate: in Europe, 80% of natural habitats are degraded and climate change is quickly becoming the leading driver of biodiversity loss. That’s where the power sector comes in. In its new PowerPlant 2.0 report Eurelectric shows how, by completing the right tasks, the power sector can address both climate change and biodiversity loss while deploying renewable, grid and storage projects at speed.

WWF confirms that renewable-led decarbonisation can lower risks to biodiversity by 75% and revert 50% of land loss induced by climate change.

We had a sneak peek at the PowerPlant 2.0 report at the Power Summit in Greece. Now yesterday, we launched the Power Plant 2.0 guidebook during a highly engaging event. Inspired by Greek mythology, we hope the reader will appreciate the title’s metaphor: just like Heracles completed 12 tasks for King Eurystheus, PowerPlant 2.0 outlines 12 principles to guide decarbonisation while preserving nature.

All you need to know about Power Plant 2.0

Two years after the launch of the first PowerPlant project, we teamed up with 科进 to create a new report to provide developers with guidelines to take action.

The result is a guidebook including 12 principles for biodiversity integration, combined with qualitative success factors and quantitative methods. Jonny Miller , Technical Lead in Biodiversity Net Gain at WSP, explains in this video:

The 12 principles for biodiversity

Embracing the mitigation hierarchy is the first step to scale up a nature-inclusive design and good operational practices across renewables and grid projects.

Developers must avoid and minimise adverse impacts on biodiversity as much as possible. ?Where adverse impacts are inevitable, they should take measures to restore biodiversity features that have been degraded or damaged by project activity. Finally, as a last resort, developers should offset residual losses that cannot be prevented or restored. Where possible, this should be done in agreement with external decision-makers.

Embracing the mitigation hierarchy is the first fundamental principle that underpins all the others, which can be divided into three groups:

• Principles describing the sequential process of measurable change

The first 3 principles relate to implementing a sequential process of measurable change. This is based on the Mitigation Hierarchy but emphasising measurable contributions and the importance of irreplaceable biodiversity.

• Principles supporting the identification of the right measures:

These principles aim at finding the identification of the right measures, including through stakeholder engagement. These principles have particular emphasis on the additional biodiversity benefits of on or offsite measures.

• Principles supporting positive information flow and long-term benefits:

Finally, the last group of principles relate to positive information flow and long-term benefits. In particular, they stress the importance of ensuring that projects inform and are informed by stakeholders and best practice. They also ensure that measures are secured for the long-term and to achieve multiple benefits.

Views from the event

Adopting a nature-positive approach to the design of renewable projects brings several benefits that transcend nature protection. Yet, several challenges persist.

During yesterday’s event Slovenian State Secretary for Environment and Energy, Tina Sersen , shared the difficulties for Member States with a lot of protected areas to grant permits for new renewable capacity and asked the European Commission for guidance on implementing the procedures of Overriding Public Interest.

Moreover, our study shows that 84% of developers surveyed find biodiversity integration expensive, with costs ranging from €25,000 to €280 million per project.

Therefore, in its recommendations, Eurelectric calls for the implementation of the 2030 climate package and adopt the pending Nature Restoration Law. To support biodiversity-mindful projects, it recommends increasing funds under the multiannual financial framework (MFF), facilitating the use of ecological non-price criteria in renewables auctions, and providing fiscal incentives for power purchase agreement (PPA) buyers with a biodiversity strategy.

During the panel, Director for Biodiversity at the European Commission’s DG Environment Humberto Rosa stressed that private financing would need to go hand in hand with public funding for scaling up nature-inclusive practices.

Another important aspect that arose from the discussion was the need to create synergies across all stakeholders from the power and agriculture sector, to policymakers, investors and corporate actors. This came from the Newly re-elected German MEP Jutta Paulus and The Nature Conservancy ’s Europe Director Global Policy and Institutional Partnerships Noor Yafai .

Not just talks, but concrete actions

Yesterday’s event was not only about policy insights and high-level discussion, but also an opportunity to learn from real-life examples. Power Plant 2.0 in fact includes a series of case studies showing how the power sector is already contributing to protecting biodiversity when siting, planning, building, operating and decommissioning renewables or grid projects:

• Andrew Allan presented SSE Renewables ' Griffin Wind Farm success story. In the 80s, the site was extensively planted with commercial forestry. Through an extensive Habitat Management Plan, the company increased biodiversity by 66% compared to pre-construction levels.
• Geoff Hamilton showed how ESB Networks repurposed a retired 38kV substation in County Kildare to enhance biodiversity. They erected nesting boxes for raptors, recycled waste into new habitats, retained access for wildfire and much more.
• Gundula Konrad shared the impressive results of VERBUND 's LIFE Projects, aimed at improving ecological connectivity around existing hydropower plants in the Danube and River Inn.

These are only a few examples that were presented yesterday, but they all show how the power sector is committed to protecting nature while driving decarbonisation. By learning from already existing success stories, it can do even more – and this is the added value of Power Plant 2.0.

Paving the way for a nature-friendly energy transition

The benefits of integrating biodiversity when siting, planning, building, operating and decommissioning renewables or grid projects transcend nature protection.

It is an opportunity for developers to improve their reputation and garner social acceptance for their installations, thereby avoiding delays due to public concerns. Moreover, these projects also add wider environmental benefits to local communities and build in climate resilience.

Eurelectric highly considers the impact of such integrated projects and is committed to promote the adoption of this nature-friendly approach. As our Secretary General stated,

“Adopting ecological measures that can accelerate energy infrastructure deployment to meet our climate targets is a win-win for the planet.” – Kristian Ruby.

This is why yesterday he closed the event by announcing the launch of a biodiversity Award to be granted next year at Power Summit 2025 – stay tuned to learn more!

This week's edition written by:

Chiara Carminucci - Digital Communications Officer, Eurelectric

With technical input from:

Nicholas A. Steinwand , Advisor - Policy Communications, Eurelectric

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