The BIOWIND project ‘Increasing social acceptance of wind energy in EU regions through environmental and community-based planning’ focuses on implementing an integrated approach in planning for sustainable wind energy development to increase social acceptance.

The production of renewable energy in the Świętokrzyskie region has been growing steadily over the past few years, but the dynamics of wind-based investments have stalled. This is mainly due to difficult environmental challenges and lack of social acceptance. The development of wind energy is crucial to achieve sustainable development goals and to counteract energy poverty.

There is a lot of land in the Świętokrzyskie voivodeship with potential for this type of investment. The development of the farms would help to increase clean energy production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is also an opportunity to achieve energy independence for the region.

By participating in the project, our region can benefit from the expertise and experience of partners from various European countries. Cooperation with other EU regions will enable the exchange of knowledge, good practice and learning about innovative solutions in the planning and implementation of wind energy projects.

The project involves 11 partners from 8 countries:

• Project Leader: The Region of Western Greece (Greece),
• The Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia (Finland),
• Zemgale Planning Region (Latvia),
• The Świętokrzyskie Region – UMWŚ (Poland),
• Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia (Spain),
• Province of Flemish Brabant (Belgium),
• Northern and Western Regional Assembly (Ireland),
• University of Patras (Greece),
• Asturias Energy Agency (Spain),
• Central Danube Development Agency (Hungary),
• Advisory Partner: The Hellenic Society for the Promotion of Research and Development Methodologies (Greece).

The most important aspect of the BIOWIND project is to strengthen confidence in wind energy as an energy source by improving dialogue between investors, local authorities and the community. An integrated approach to planning for sustainable wind energy development will take into account the opinions and needs of the inhabitants of the Świętokrzyskie region and minimise potential conflicts. Participation in the project will result in the implementation of recommended actions to the regional policy instrument in this area, in particular the Regional Programme ‘European Funds for Świętokrzyskie 2021-2027’.

“BIOWIND – Increasing social acceptance for wind energy in EU regions through environmental and community based planning” is 80% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg Europe 2021-2027 programme, Policy objective 2: Greener Europe, Specific objective: Renewable energy sources. The total project budget for the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship is €135,178.00, of which the Voivodeship’s own contribution is €27,036.00.

Contact:

Liliana Krężołek – project coordinator, Economic Cooperation and European Projects Unit, Department of Investment and Development, Marshal`s Office of Świętokrzyskie Region, tel. (+48) 41/395-14-52, e-mail: liliana.krezolek@sejmik.kielce.pl

Magdalena Pokora – head of the Nature Protection Unit, Department of Nature and Climate, Marshal`s Office of Świętokrzyskie Region, tel. (+48) 41/395-11-29, e-mail: magdalena.pokora@sejmik.kielce.pl

OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BIOWIND PROJECT:

SOCIAL MEDIA: