The European Parliament is concerned that Ukraine is developing ‘green’ energy in contravention of the principles of environmental protection and sustainability. The criticism relates primarily to the decision to install wind turbines in high-altitude nature conservation areas of the Carpathians, in particular 30 wind turbines on the Runa mountain pasture.
This is set out in the European Parliament’s resolution on the current situation in Ukraine, adopted on 8 July.
The EU emphasises that wind energy is indeed a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. However, when constructing wind farms, Ukraine should by no means choose areas of high conservation value.
“The production of ‘green’ energy and nature conservation need not be mutually exclusive in Ukraine, as there are other areas already designated for the development of energy infrastructure which do not contain unique habitats or primeval forests and have existing access roads,” the document states.
Environmental challenges
At the same time, the resolution highlighted the extremely destructive impact of military operations on the natural environment. The European Parliament expressed concern over the loss of biodiversity and damage to forest, steppe and wetland ecosystems.
With this in mind, MEPs once again emphasised the importance of integrating the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development into Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
The European Parliament called to:
- strengthen environmental governance;
- improve monitoring systems;
- ensure effective implementation of environmental impact assessment procedures and strategic environmental assessment.
Excerpt from European Parliament resolution
EcoPolitic previously reported that wind turbine masts are already being installed on the Runa meadow in Zakarpattia region. Eco-activists emphasize that this activity contradicts the promises of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture.
At that time, environmentalists also recalled that there is a mapping for the development of Ukraine’s energy sector, prepared with the funds of the Energy Community Secretariat and the Danish Energy Agency. The Runa meadow is not included there.
Civil society, experts, and parliamentarians called on the authorities to halt the construction of wind turbines in the highlands of the Carpathians. However, despite the later recognition of the illegal construction of foundations, the Ministry of Economy issued an EIA conclusion for the construction of a wind power plant in the Turya-Remetivska community. There, the plan is to install 30 wind turbines with a total capacity of 156 MW.
