Document VGJ2oObbKvgvpr39om0VRXEdg

Meeting Commissioner Sinkevicius - Eurelectric vc, 20-05-2020 Meeting report The meeting took place at the request ofEurelectiic. - Participants list: - Ref. Ares(2021)7797811 -16/12/2021 Cabinet: Commissioner and Ms Camilla Bursi DGENV: Eurelectric: expressed full commitment to the target for decarbonisation, even before 2050, as we as full suppo1i forEuropean Green Deal as recovery stiategy. They underlined the need to expand massively offshore wind production, raised questions about balance with biodiversity objectives, while coexistence is however, possible if the objectives are integrated. In this respect highlighted that pennitting and marine strategic planning as very impo1iant Eurelecu-ic fmihennore raised siinilar issue with hydropower, even if there are fewer opportunities for fuiiher expansion, and raised concerns about Biodiversity Su-ategy target of making free 25,000 Km of river flows, which can be detiimental for dams. Pointed to the national inte1pretations of Water Framework Directive, which can sometimes very restiictive. Commissioner SINKEVICIUS: underlined the role of Environmental Impact Assessments and Stiategic Planning for assessment and identification of initigation measures to preserve water ecosystems and find synergies between hydropower and water protection. He clarified that the objective of protecting 25,000 Km of free flows of rivers inEurope means 1.5% of the total and that focus is on removing obsolete dams. He explained that the Water Framework Directive fitness check showed the legislation was fit for pmpose and no revision is foreseen. He recalled Commission guidance on hydropower and Natura 2000 to help implementation and avoid unnecessaiy adininistrative burdens. On offshore wind energy, he highlighted its impo1iance for reaching climate neutiality, the need for compliance with environmental legislation when in or close to protected aieas, the proper conduct of Environmental Impact Assessments as well as the role of stiategic planning for synergies between sectors and countiies. He announced update guidance for developing wind energy projects in line with environmental legislation for the end of the yeai. He pointed to the need to look at win-win solutions, positive for deployment of energy and biodiversity objectives, during preparation, constmction, operation and decommissioning.