Less than half the blades, but almost three times higher. The Ministry of the Environment has given the green light to the expansion of the Nulvi-Tergu wind farm (with repercussions also in Sedini, Chiaramonti, Ploaghe and Codrongianos) owned by Fri-El Anglona.
The existing plant consists of 35 wind turbines with a diameter of 52 meters and a maximum height of 81, for a total plant power of 29.75 MW. The modernization includes the installation, in the same areas, of 15 wind turbines with a maximum diameter of 170 meters, a maximum height of 203 and a total power of 99 MW. The environmental compatibility measure is dated November 27: the yes from Mase therefore arrives while the Regional Council is discussing the proposed law on suitable areas and in full force of the moratorium desired by the majority of the Todde Council.
As soon as the company submits the request, the Region will have to activate the procedure for the single authorization that depends on the Sardinian offices, with the provision of calling a conference of services. This process was not triggered for the repowering of the plant that looms over the Basilica of Saccargia (not far from the plant just blessed in Rome): in that case, the silent consent of the Region was enough, which raised objections outside the maximum time limit that were razed to the ground by the TAR.
It is estimated that the new plant, as stated in the ministerial documents, "will have a useful life of about 25-30 years after which it may be subjected to a future intervention of strengthening or reconstruction". Or it could be dismantled. But first it will have to make the declared investment profitable: "The declared value of the project works is equal to 132,769,729 euros". And according to the ministerial technicians, yes, the blades will be higher, and visible from greater distances, but with the reduction in number the "forest effect" will be limited. That is, if you do not consider that around, and throughout the island, there are thousands of other blades waiting for the green light. The Ministry writes: "In the matter of energy production from renewable sources, the fundamental principles established by the legislation of the State constitute the implementation of the Union directives, which show a favor for renewable energy sources, laying the conditions for an adequate diffusion of the relative plants, as a policy to combat climate change". So: there is environmental compatibility.
"As we have seen in practice, the moratorium on renewable energy plants has had no inhibiting effect on the EIA procedure (as in many similar cases)," argue the environmentalists of Grig, "while waiting for the desired approval of the legislation on suitable/unsuitable areas for the location of renewable energy production plants, will the Region now have the strength and desire to deny the release of the single authorization in good time by applying the moratorium rules? Will it do so even at the cost of a rather probable dispute with a request for compensation?", they ask. "We sincerely hope so," is the hope.