The impact and opportunities of the EU INSPIRE directive on geothermal projects

Abstract

The impact and opportunities of the EU INSPIRE directive on the decision making procedures of geothermal projects in terms of e.g. environmental assessment, public consultation, electricity distribution, district heating, town planning and architecture will be highlighted.In Europe a major recent development has been the entering in force of the INSPIRE Directive, establishing an infrastructure for spatial information in Europe to support Community environmental policies, and policies or activities which may have an impact on the environment.The Directive addresses 34 spatial data themes needed for environmental applications, with key components specified through technical implementing rules.The author is a member of the ISNPIRE TWG PF, Technical Working group Production and Industrial Facilities, which includes by definition power plants for electricity and heat production e.g. geothermal power plants.