Μορφές ανανεώσιμων πηγών ενέργειας και η δυνατότητα εκμετάλλευση [sic] τους κατά το ευρωπαϊκό δίκαιο: αιολική ενέργεια και περιβάλλον

The present thesis deals with the relation between wind power and the environment, especially under the light of national law. Its aim is equally to lay emphasis on the great importance and the determinant role wind power may play for the local society and the economy, as also to lay emphasis on the trend for the boosting of the exploitation of this particular renewable energy source that is predominant today. In this context, prior to the presentation of the advantages and disadvantages of wind power, as also the benefits and potential risks of the new off-shore wind power, the problem of climate change and its consequences are analyzed, the need for the turn towards the renewable energy sources is highlighted, and a short historical retrospective of the most important international and European texts for the promotion of renewable energy sources is presented. Subsequently, the standing national regulatory framework for the exploitation of wind power is analyzed and there follows the presentation of the Institution of Environmental Impact Assessment ( E.I.A. ), as a tool for the detection of the possible environmental ramifications of land and off-shore windfarms. Finally, a critical approach of the jurisprudence of the Council of State is presented. The jurisprudence analyzed in this thesis pertains to the issue of the installation of wind farms in forest and reforestable expanses, as also to the issue of spatial planning.