Renewable Energy Planning in sub-Mediterranean mountain landscapes

The use of renewable energy sources is considered the best way to avoid the adverse effects of fossil fuels on the environment and human health. However, power plants produce different impacts on the environmental-landscape system, depending on the local context. The assessment of the land suitability for a power plant and of the environmental impact, are therefore key elements in the planning process of renewable energy plants. In the sub-Mediterranean mountain landscape, such assessment may involve several environmental disciplines. It is quite common that the local authorities consider sites with high-energy production potential unsuitable because environmental impacts cannot be adequately mitigated. The construction of plants in mountain landscapes may not be feasible even from an economic point of view. For example, the production of woody biomass for energy purposes is limited by the scarce accessibility of many mountain ranges, which makes it difficult to mechanise some phases of the production chain, limiting the possibility of planning long-term exploitation of this energy source.