Overview
Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI), TB Raab, and Elia Group hosted Wingspan 2024: Partnerships for a nature-friendly energy transition. This conference was the first in a series of biennial conferences to share strategies and solutions for a nature-positive energy transition. Topics designed for an international audience covered recent scientific knowledge, state-of-the-art conservation strategies, and nature-inclusive technological innovations.
With 320 online and in-person attendees, the event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from across the globe to address the urgent need for a nature-friendly energy transition. The conference featured panel discussions, scientific presentations, a workshop, a poster session, and a fair showcasing bird protection devices used along power lines and wind energy infrastructure.
Key messages from the conference included:
- The LIFE Programme is a critical funding source for collaborative projects between grid operators, renewable developers, NGOs, and academic institutions, enabling effective mitigation measures and fostering innovation.
- While EU frameworks for nature protection and the deployment of renewable energy are in place, their implementation remains uneven across Member States, requiring further harmonization.
- Risk mapping is a valuable tool for identifying areas suitable for new projects and prioritizing mitigation measures along operational infrastructure.
- Robust data across all represented sectors is crucial for making informed, data-driven decisions for the acceleration of deployment of energy infrastructure.