Some of Slovenia’s winds are famous – supposedly sent by God and strong enough to help the Eastern Emperor Theodosius I in the final victory of Christianity over Paganism. These winds rush through the Vipava valley and over the Karst plateau down to Trieste and the sea.

But don’t expect to see wind turbines there – Slovenia actually only has three small ones. Why? Many of the country’s best wind sites fall within Natura 2000, Europe’s vast conservation network that protects more than 18% of the EU’s land. The aim is vital: safeguarding habitats and birds. Therefore, the regulations prohibit the creation of wind parks in Natura 2000 areas, showcasing Slovenia as a prime example for a more general tension – it’s when green goes head-to-head with green.

As Europe races to decarbonise, clean energy projects increasingly clash with environmental protections written decades ago. As a result, we are less diversified, which is a must with renewable energy sources. Sometimes the absurdity is visible: a wind park thrives just across the border in Austria, while on the same hills on the Slovenian side, even wind studies are discouraged.

However, this isn’t just a Slovenian dilemma. In Cyprus, a 33-turbine farm was halted to protect nesting raptors. In Sweden, a 5.5 GW offshore farm was cancelled over the same Natura 2000 objections. Across the continent, the transition to green energy is constrained by green rules – born in a different era, with a different focus.