Navigating the Renewable Energy Transition in SEE

Join TNC in shaping a sustainable energy future for Southeast Europe - learn more about our regional renewable energy program and explore opportunities for collaboration. Together, we can harness the power of renewable energy while safeguarding our precious natural environment.

As the world transitions towards a low-carbon future, renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly vital to meet growing energy demands while mitigating climate change. However, the rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure poses a challenge in balancing energy needs with environmental conservation and other economic activities such as agriculture and tourism. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has taken a proactive stance in addressing this challenge, particularly in Southeast Europe, where it has developed a comprehensive renewable energy program spanning Slovenia, Croatia and six other countries across the Western Balkans.

TNC's renewable energy program is guided by three core strategies that ensure responsible and sustainable development:

1. Strategic Siting: Employing spatial planning tools and data analysis, TNC identifies suitable locations for renewable energy development that minimize environmental impact and maximize benefits to communities.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: TNC actively engages with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, energy companies, local communities, and environmental organizations, to ensure that renewable energy development is carried out in a collaborative and inclusive manner.
3. Policy Advocacy: TNC advocates for policies that support the development of renewable energy in a way that aligns with conservation goals and promotes long-term sustainability, ensuring that renewable energy projects are implemented in harmony with environmental protection.

TNC has identified 100 strategic locations where solar energy development could meet 10% of household energy consumption while minimizing impact on nature and communities. These locations were selected based on their proximity to existing infrastructure, their solar energy potential, and their low potential for conflict with biodiversity, social and cultural values.

Following a successful pilot project in the Zadar county, TNC has partnered with the Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development to assess the impact of renewable energy development on sensitive wildlife species across the country. This collaboration highlights TNC's commitment to ensuring that RE projects are implemented in a way that protects biodiversity and minimizes environmental impacts. The partnership involves refining the methodology used for nature-inclusive siting of RE projects to deal with data gaps by employing advanced species distribution modelling in the sensitivity mapping step.

TNC has entered a strategic partnership with the Energy Community Secretariat to accelerate renewable energy project planning and permitting processes. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to streamline permitting procedures, identify suitable locations for solar and wind energy development, and build capacity among the Contracting Parties. This work supports the Energy Community Treaty's commitment to aligning the energy policies of the region with those of the EU.

TNC's renewable energy program in Southeast Europe exemplifies its commitment to promoting renewable energy development in harmony with conservation goals. By utilizing strategic siting, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy, TNC ensures that renewable energy development in these countries is carried out responsibly and sustainably, paving the way for a greener future that balances energy needs with environmental protection and economic activities.