Source: European Parliament
The Commission takes note of the court rulings in Galicia mentioned by the Honourable Member. In line with Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive[1], the Commission reminds that any project which is likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 must be subject to an appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives.
The competent national authorities can agree to the project only after having ascertained that it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site.
According to Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, if despite a negative assessment and in the absence of alternative solutions, a project must nevertheless be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, the Member State must take all compensatory measures necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network is protected.
Lastly, according to the information available to the Commission, no EU funding from the Cohesion Funds, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) or the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan was provided to the suspended wind farms in Galicia.
- [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.