Background

As the developing world transitions away from fossil fuels, the demand for renewable energy is growing exponentially. However, while this presents many opportunities, if sited only to maximize wind and solar resource, this has the potential to jeopardize millions of hectares of natural habitat, many threatened species and may even result in the release of millions of tons of stored carbon.

To address this issue, upstream sensitivity mapping can provide a solution by identifying sites of high wind/solar resource but with low environmental sensitivity which are ideal for development as well as sites of high sensitivity that should be avoided. The result of using such tools will mean projects can be developed more quickly, gain regulatory approval and have easier access to lender finance.