Taking wealth into account in wind projects
The installation of onshore wind turbines is an essential condition for achieving the objectives of the ecological transition. However, the Ministry of Culture, a stakeholder in the success of the ecological transition, ensures that the deployment of wind turbines is done in accordance with the heritage sites protected under the heritage code.
Ecological transition commitments and reconciliation with the promotion of architectural and landscape quality
France sets a target of 40% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030, up from the current 20%.
Commitments under the Energy-Climate Package (“Objectives 3 20”) and more recently under the Energy-Climate FrameworkClimate 2030 at the European level and transcribed at the national level put the fight against climate change and the development of renewable energies at the top of the priorities.
Renewable energy, including onshore wind, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in response to the climate emergency.
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The deployment of onshore wind turbines is a major lever of the ecological transition. However, their installation must respect historical monuments and heritage sites. “Safeguarding, protecting and enhancing cultural heritage”, “promoting architectural and landscape quality in natural and built spaces” are among the the missions of the Minister for Culture.
The aim is therefore to reconcile two major public policies: the protection of cultural heritage and landscapes and the development of renewable energies.
If the installation of wind turbines is generally located outside the sites protected for their heritage interest, the Regional Directorates of Cultural Affairs (DRAC), and in particular the departmental units of architecture and heritage (UDAP), can be consulted, and provide advice to support the preservation of heritage and landscapes.
More generally, the heritage services of the Ministry of Culture follow this issue with particular care, which has led them to participate in several works launched by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion (MTE-CT) in recent years. The development of renewable energies is a priority of the Government and the DRAC and UDAP are mobilized on the ground with DREAL and DDT(M).
Thus, the Ministry of Culture was involved in the drafting of the Guide to the Development of Onshore Wind Farm Impact Studies ” revised October 2020. The objective of this document is to facilitate the energy transition, with particular emphasis on the necessary analysis and consideration of landscape and heritage sensitivity in wind projects.
The Ministry of Culture has also encouraged its teams in DRAC and UDAP to participate upstream in the steering and monitoring committees for the planning and mapping of areas favourable to wind energy development.
Thus, the Ministry of Culture accompanies the energy transformation policy carried out by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, in order to reconcile the challenges of the energy transition with the protection of heritage and landscapes.
Refer to:
Guide to Developing Impact Assessments for Onshore Wind Farm Projects – revised October 2020, Ministry of Ecological Transition, 177p.