Potential impacts of energy transmission facilities on natura 2000 and eu protected species

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3. POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF ENERGY

TRANSMISSION FACILITIES ON NATURA 2000 AND

EU PROTECTED SPECIES

3.1 Introduction

Energy infrastructure projects do not usually pose a major threat to biodiversity. There are

many cases where well-designed and appropriately sited developments have no or only

limited impacts. There are also examples of where projects have delivered net overall

benefits for nature, especially in areas where the natural environment is already seriously

impoverished. But this does not remove the obligation to examine, under the various legal

environment assessment procedures in force such as EIA/SEAs and Appropriate

Assessments (see chapter 7 for details), the potential effects that individual plans or projects

can have on the natural environment.

This chapter reviews the type of possible impacts that energy infrastructures could have on

the habitats and species protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives. It aim to provide

developers, energy transmission operators and relevant authorities with an overview of the

types of potential impacts to watch out for when preparing an energy transmission

infrastructure plans or projects; and when carrying out an Appropriate Assessment under the

permitting procedure foreseen in Article 6 of the Habitats Directive or assessment pursuant

the EIA/SEA Directives.

3.2 The need for a case-by-case approach

It must be stressed that the potential effects are very much dependent on the design and

location of the specific energy infrastructure in question and on the sensitivity of the EU

protected habitats and species present. That is why it is essential to examine each plan or

project on a case-by-case basis.

The design of each energy transmission facility project, including PCIs, will depend on a wide

range of factors, including the type and volume of energy being transmitted, the receiving

environment (e.g. whether on land or at sea), the distances required for transmission, and

the capacity needed for reception or storage. Projects may concern not only the construction,

but also for the renovation and/or decommissioning of any one or more of the facilities or

infrastructures needed to transmit, receive or store energy on land.

When assessing the potential impacts on nature and wildlife it is important to consider not

just the main infrastructure itself, but also all associated installations and facilities such as

temporary access roads, contractors facilities and equipment storage, construction

compounds, concrete foundations, temporary cabling, spoils and areas for soil surplus etc.

The impacts may be temporary or permanent, on-site or off-site, cumulative and may come

into play at different times during the project cycle (e.g. during construction, renovation,

maintenance and/or decommissioning phases). All these factors must be taken into

consideration.