Renewable energy projects have the opportunity to be developed quicker while reducing impacts on nature and local communities, according to The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
The organisation’s ‘Smart Siting’ approach uses mapping and spatial analysis to identify locations where wind and solar projects are likely to face fewer environmental and social conflicts.
Rather than assessing individual developments after they have been proposed, the approach considers renewable energy potential alongside biodiversity, conservation priorities, land use, community values and existing energy infrastructure.
TNC says this could help governments and developers identify suitable areas earlier, potentially reducing delays during planning, permitting and environmental assessments.
The approach is also intended to support biodiversity protection by directing renewable development away from sensitive ecosystems and habitats. In some cases, it could identify opportunities where new energy projects could deliver additional environmental benefits.
TNC has applied the approach across several countries, including Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Portugal.
The study in Portugal found the country has more than five times the low-conflict land needed to meet its 2030 target for ground-mounted solar. It also found that up to 70% of its onshore wind target could potentially be delivered on lower-conflict sites.
Community priorities are another part of the process. TNC says incorporating landscape values and local views into planning can help improve public acceptance and reduce potential opposition to projects.
The organisation also links smart siting with electricity grid planning. Identifying areas suitable for renewable generation could help guide future grid investment and reduce the environmental impact of unnecessary infrastructure.
TNC says two renewable energy smart-siting studies were delivered in Croatia and Portugal in 2025, as it continues to promote more nature-conscious renewable energy development.
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