Abstract
The distance between theory and practice in the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process is particularly noticeable. The development of an integrated, comprehensive and systematic approach guided by the related literature is considered to be an ideal condition for enhancing the value of SEA and increasing its effectiveness. The aim of the present paper was to develop a methodological approach of the most technical and critical stages of SEA for onshore wind farm (OWF) siting. The methodological framework included the proposal of the SEA objectives along with the indicators’ development, the identification of alternatives, the selection of a ‘most viable or sustainable’ alternative, the identification of potential impacts, their assessment, and finally, the proposal of a SEA monitoring system using both qualitative and quantitative methods, tools, and techniques. OWF siting within low and/or moderate sensitivity areas was considered as the most viable/sustainable alternative. SEA highlighted that OWF siting caused moderately to highly significant negative impacts on the thematic section of biodiversity and extremely significant positive impacts on the thematic sections of renewable energy sources, economy, and society. Although the proposed methodology was applied on SEA of OWF siting in Greece, it can be used universally to identify the impacts of OWF siting planning.
Highlights
The conceptualization of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) started much earlier, almost in parallel with environmental impact assessment (EIA) at a project level
It should be noted that the proposed objectives and indicators (OI) System integrates and highlights the major environmnental, economic, and social factors related to onshore wind farm (OWF) siting issues
Strategic environmental assessment has been widely recognized as an assessment tool, especially in recent years
Summary
The conceptualization of SEA started much earlier, almost in parallel with environmental impact assessment (EIA) at a project level. SEA has evolved and been applied worldwide in a variety of sectors and in various ways to identify and assess the potential environmental impacts of policies, plans, and programs (PPPs), as well as to identify and evaluate alternatives to avoid, mitigate, or compensate for these impacts [3,4,5,6,7]. During this time, several critical issues relating to its theoretical framework, and to its methodological approach, have appeared. Noble et al [9] highlighted that present discussions and surveys on a SEA methodology
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