Renewable Energy and Nature Conservation

Abstract

The article refers to the EU targets of increasing the share of renewable energy sources in energy supply. The promotion of renewables for electricity generation, and the expanded use of biofuels for transport, is stipulated by various Directives. While EU member states started implementation, only few are on track to achieve their national targets. A new phenomena is the opposition of environmentalists against renewables, which is exaggerated by the media. The author focusses on an actual controversy over wind power in Germany. The general conflict between the installation and expansion of renewable energy sources and nature conservation is then analysed. The article sketches possible lessons for further policy learning.