Filenews 17 June 2024 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The Minister of Interior proceeded with the issuance of Order 1 of 2024, Licensing Framework for Renewable Energy Sources.
The new Mandate cancels and replaces the Mandate with no. 2/2006. The aim is to establish principles and location criteria that will allow on the one hand the creation of sustainable Renewable Energy Sources (RES) installations and on the other hand their harmonious integration into the natural and man-made environment.
The new Mandate seeks to provide a clear framework to Planning Authorities, competent authorities and other stakeholders and investors, especially following the issuance of the Environmental Authority's opinion, dated 21/2/2022, on the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) on the location of projects utilizing Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the power sector. The EIA was prepared by the Energy Service of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. The new version records the exclusion areas and the areas of case-by-case examination, by category of RES.
In exclusion areas it is not possible to locate large solar systems. Among other things, the siting of photovoltaic parks in Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as in the Wetlands and Natura 2000 network areas: "Larnaka Salt Lake", "Oroklini Lake", "Paralimni Lake" and "Achna Dam" and within a buffer zone 500m wide, is prohibited. around them, as defined by the Department of Environment.
Furthermore, RES are prohibited within state forests, as well as in transit of migratory birds, as determined by the Game and Fauna Service.
Exclusion areas are also within areas or blocks with altitude differences of more than 25%, with the exception of small installations examined on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, for wind farms, it is forbidden to locate them within an already defined Development Limit and within a distance of up to 850m. from an already defined Growth Limit and up to 350m. from a legally existing individual residence located outside the Development Boundary.
Examination areas on a case-by-case basis
At the same time, Order 1 of 2024 sets conditions for examining applications for solar installations with a capacity above the limits of the General Development Decree on a case-by-case basis.
The examination areas, depending on the case, are included within a perimeter zone with a width of 200m. from the boundaries of an already defined Development Limit, with the exception of Industrial or Craft Zones or Areas, depending on the characteristics of the plot and the project. On a case-by-case basis, applications will be examined for photovoltaic parks around the wetlands and Natura 2000 network areas "Larnaka Salt Lakes", "Oroklini Lake", "Paralimni Lake" and "Achna Dam", as well as in areas up to 500m away. from the passage limit of migratory birds.
On a case-by-case basis, they are also examined in plots falling within the nesting areas and in the areas of habitation of birds of prey, which according to the legislation are "under threat" and concern the species of the perdicentennial / Bonelli eagle (Aquila fasciata) and the vulture (fulvus). In the area of Steni community and especially for the protection of the rare species of bat Rhinolophus euryale, applications within a radius of 2.2 km. from this particular shelter.
Furthermore, in areas where Red Book species are found, protected trees, groups of trees or forests, perennial olive and carob trees and crops subsidized by the CAO (Carob / Almond / Hazelnut) are examined on a case-by-case basis to the extent that the projects do not adversely affect these species.
