Urban planning is the only barrier to the wind energy assault. Mayors say, "Let's stop speculators with planning."

If anyone were to suspect that the push for renewables is a marginal undertaking, one figure is enough: 370,000 hectares of Sardinia, covering an area of 24,000 square kilometers, are poised to be occupied by wind turbines and solar panels. That's one-sixth of the island. 15.41 percent of the land the Italian government, through Law 4/2026 on Energy Transition 5.0, has classified as suitable areas. This is why a new wave of mobilization is marking time.

Ruling 127 of July 16th demonstrates that the only barrier to speculation is urban planning, with two key points set to become a milestone in this fight. First, protecting the soil and landscape comes before green energy. Second, when deciding whether and where to install power plants, the urban planning classification of a piece of land is key.

The mayors

Gianna Masu, mayor of Tempio, raises the challenge: "Putting a tombstone on energy speculation is part of our program. We'll do so by reclaiming the PUC (Public Urban Planning Scheme), because urban planning is the primary tool for managing the land and protecting it from impoverishment: those who invest in renewables currently enjoy generous subsidies without any real impact on our country's economy." Mandas agrees. "I see no other way," says Mayor Umberto Oppus.

From the Association of Municipalities, President Daniela Falconi: "Sardinia must defend its territory from all forms of speculation, adopting clear rules that govern transformations rather than subjecting them to them. I support discussing Pratobello or the PPR, while strengthening the role, powers, and prerogatives of municipalities within a unified regional framework. This could be an opportunity to build a vision that, alongside landscape protection, defines where and how we want to produce clean energy and, at the same time, foster development: modern agriculture and livestock farming, forestry, manufacturing, new businesses, and jobs."

Alessandra Carta