a) Protection distance: the protection zone is reduced from the previous distance of 12 km to 700 m, thus significantly increasing the extent of areas that can be considered for wind farm development, subject to the zoning restrictions, outside building areas in special zones exclusively for agricultural or renewable energy purposes. Within building areas or protection zones, wind farms may be installed only in industrial economic zones where the investment is of major economic importance, so that large energy consumers can meet their own energy needs (in addition to solar power) with wind farms, thus allowing a more balanced renewable energy portfolio.

b) Facilitated area: areas designated by the Minister responsible for energy policy, which are particularly favourable for wind energy utilisation, can be developed in which environmental or building permits can be obtained under simplified conditions and in an accelerated procedure (50 days).

c) Height limit: the previous objective height limit of 100 metres for wind turbines has also been removed, leaving the more flexible general rule that the height of wind turbines is limited only to the extent that they would interfere with air traffic or the operation of telecommunications, communications and defence networks.

d) Owners’ consent: the previous rule requiring consent from owners of neighbouring properties within 1 km of wind farms has also been abolished.