"We need project-specific solutions"

How can solar energy be reconciled with the protection of biodiversity? In this interview, Julien Burato from Axpo subsidiary Urbasolar explains how environmental and biodiversity issues are strategically embedded in the company – from project planning and AI-supported monitoring to research partnerships.

Can you describe your role and responsibilities at Urbasolar and how you deal with biodiversity issues?

As Head of Environment, specialising in ecology, I am responsible for coordinating and managing all environmental issues, both in projects and in corporate matters. Thanks to my competent team, we can cover a wide range of environmental topics.

In the area of biodiversity, we particularly support the project development, construction and operations teams. We ensure that the mitigation principles of ‘avoid, reduce, compensate’ are correctly applied to guarantee their relevance and effectiveness throughout the entire project cycle. At the same time, we check that legal and environmental obligations are being met and coordinate cooperation between the teams to ensure effective implementation of environmental measures. We train our employees, develop research partnerships, initiate voluntary ecological measures, participate in events that address the links between renewable energies and biodiversity, and create best practice guidelines.

What are the key elements of Urbasolar's biodiversity strategy?

The company's biodiversity policy is evolving.

Five years ago, the priority was to structure our approach to biodiversity protection and embed it firmly in our DNA. Today, this culture is well established, but we want to further consolidate and expand what we have achieved and embed our measures in a logic of continuous improvement.

Within this framework, the biodiversity strategy is based on five main priorities:

• Improving our knowledge of biodiversity to preserve it and contribute to its sustainable restoration.
• Strengthening collaboration with the scientific community to reduce the impact of our power plants on ecosystems.
• Implementation of concrete measures to promote biodiversity at our sites that go beyond legal requirements and environmental impact assessments.
• Contribution to the restoration of biodiversity through sponsorship measures.
• Further awareness-raising among all our employees.

Can you explain Urbasolar's efforts to integrate biodiversity into broader corporate strategies?

In 2024, we created a dedicated environmental department within the QHSE department to give greater structure to environmental and biodiversity issues. The aim is to integrate biodiversity into a comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility across the company. This is reflected, among other things, in the company's participation in the “Entreprise Engagée pour la Nature” program in France and the implementation of a structured action plan with biodiversity and other environmental measures. Alignment with standards such as ISO 17298 and ISO 14001 is intended to harmonise internal practices and strengthen credibility and transparency towards stakeholders.

What specific measures does Urbasolar take to ensure the protection of biodiversity during the construction and operation phases of solar power plants?

We take environmental aspects into account throughout the entire project cycle. As part of the project conditions, ecological studies are carried out as early as the planning phase to determine site-specific measures for construction and operation. During the construction phase, environmental impacts are limited through adapted schedules, protection of sensitive areas, environmental monitoring and awareness-raising among teams. During the operational phase, ecological checks are carried out, analysed and evaluated using an AI-based biodiversity chatbot to monitor the effectiveness of the measures and, if necessary, implement corrections or additional voluntary measures to promote biodiversity.

How is artificial intelligence integrated into decision-making related to biodiversity at Urbasolar?

We have collaborated with Microsoft to create a chatbot, which centralises ecological monitoring reports from the operational phase. It provides authorised users with a quick, AI-supported overview of the ecological development and biodiversity of our power plants. The tool thus supports informed decisions and strengthens the argumentation in approval procedures based on consolidated observation data.

What are the biggest challenges in reconciling large-scale solar development with biodiversity protection, and how does Urbasolar overcome them?

We face the challenge of widely varying ecological and legal conditions that require project-specific solutions. In response, Urbasolar is actively involved in working groups and dialogue formats, strengthening early communication with authorities and environmental associations, and adapting flexibly to regulatory developments. At the same time, Urbasolar implements its commitments through concrete, measurable measures, such as participation in technical guidelines, voluntary biodiversity measures, sponsorship and initiatives at its headquarters. This practical approach strengthens the company's credibility and supports the collective transition to sustainable energy.

Are there any partnerships or projects that have had a significant impact on biodiversity conservation?

Urbasolar regularly works with specialist planning offices, independent ecologists, nature conservation associations and research institutions to actively promote the preservation of biodiversity. These partnerships enable pilot projects such as habitat restoration, species monitoring and the testing of new ecological management methods in solar power plants.

A key example is the scientific collaboration with the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and the University of Toulouse as part of the SOLAKE / FLOATIX research programme, which investigates the impact of floating PV systems on aquatic ecosystems.

Another example is the collaboration with Valorhiz, an ecological engineering company specialised in nature-based solutions, to restore the La Grand Combe solar power plant. Targeted soil analysis and revegetation have reduced soil erosion, increased biodiversity and curbed invasive species.

How does Urbasolar work with local communities and stakeholders?

Dialogue with local communities and stakeholders is a central part of our approach. Throughout the project development process, there is regular and transparent communication with authorities, residents and other stakeholders. This allows us to explain technical and environmental decisions and take expectations and concerns into account. This promotes trust, acceptance and sustainable integration of the projects.

Communication is mainly carried out by the development teams, which manage all relevant aspects of the project. The environmental department provides targeted support on environmental issues.

Are there any examples of projects that have had a positive impact on local ecosystems and communities?

Urbasolar builds its power plants primarily on ecologically degraded sites such as landfills, quarries, mines, former military or industrial sites, and urban brownfields. There, projects have helped to transform areas that were originally species-poor into ecologically valuable areas. Studies and the experience of the Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (Renewable Energy Association) show that, with good planning and management, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems at such sites usually have neutral to positive effects, for example by stabilising species or restoring habitats.

How does Urbasolar measure the success of its biodiversity initiatives?

We evaluate the success of our biodiversity initiatives using qualitative and quantitative indicators based on compliance with environmental commitments, the implementation of ecological measures, monitoring, audits and feedback. Species-specific biological indicators are currently not used, as ecological developments are long-term, strongly influenced by climate change and there are currently no scientifically recognised, robust measurement methods.

Instead, Urbasolar uses practice-oriented implementation and activity indicators, such as the number of voluntary measures, scientific partnerships, trained project managers and employees, and ecological sponsorship initiatives. These serve as control instruments until long-term, reliable biological indicators are available.