About this document

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ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Purpose

In November 2010, the European Commission published the communication ‘Energy

infrastructure priorities for 2020 and beyond - A Blueprint for an integrated European energy

network’. It calls for a significant increase in energy transmission infrastructures in order to

ensure a safe, sustainable and affordable energy supply across Europe, whilst, at the same

time, reducing C02 emissions.

The new TEN-E Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 establishes an EU-wide framework for the

planning and implementation of energy infrastructure in the EU. It establishes nine strategic

infrastructure priority corridors in the domains of electricity, gas and oil, and three Union-wide

priority thematic areas for electricity highways, smart grids and carbon dioxide transportation

networks. It also introduces a transparent and inclusive process to identify and select

concrete Projects of Common Interest (PCIs), which are needed to implement the priority

corridors.

Like all development activities within the EU, energy transmission infrastructures must be

fully compliant with the EU’s environmental policy, including the Habitats and Birds Directives

(the EU Nature directives). This document provides guidance on how best to achieve this in

practice. It pays particular attention to the correct application of the permitting procedure

under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive which requires that all plans and projects likely to

have a significant negative effect on a Natura 2000 site undergo an appropriate assessment

(AA) before authorisation. It also addresses the requirements for protection of species in the

wider landscape.

Natura 2000 sites are not designed to be ‘no go zones’ a nd new developments are not

excluded. Instead developments must be undertaken in a way that safeguards the rare and

endangered species and habitat types for which the site has been designated. Often this can

be achieved through careful planning, good and inclusive dialogue and, where appropriate,

the use of suitable mitigation measures to remove or pre-empt any potential negative

impacts of individual projects as well as cumulative impacts on the site’s conservation

objectives at the outset.

This document is designed principally for project developers, transmission system operators

(TSOs) and authorities responsible for the permitting of energy transmission plans and

projects, but it should also be of interest to impact assessment consultants, Natura 2000 site

managers, NGOs and any other practitioners who are concerned by or involved in the

planning, design, implementation or approval of energy infrastructure plans and projects. It is

intended to give them an overview of the implications of energy infrastructure proposals on

Natura 2000 and EU protected species and habitats and approaches to mitigating any

negative effects.

This document might also be useful for assessment procedures carried out under the

Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and Strategic Environmental Assessment

Directive for energy transmission facilities plans and projects for which it is determined that

Appropriate Assessment of their impact on Natura 2000 is not necessary.