Capital Project 966 CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report
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Capital Project 966 CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report July 2020 EirGrid CP966 Environm ental C onstr aints R eport EirGrid CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Capital Project 966 Project No: 321084AE Document Title: CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Document No.: Revision: FINAL Document Status: FINAL Date: July 2020 Client Name: EirGrid Client No: Project Manager: Fay Lagan Author: Grainne Quinn & Steve Isaac File Name: Jacobs 2nd Floor, 28 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GD, TEL: 028 9032 4452 Limitation: This document has been prepared on behalf of, and for the exclusive use of Jacobs’ client, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this document by any third party. Document history and status Revision Date Description Author Checked Reviewed Approved Final Draft 02.04.2020 Final Draft GQ & SI HC HC FL Final 04.05.2020 Final LMc HC HC FL Final 16.07.2020 Final Minor Amends LMc HC HC FL i CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 What is Capital Project 966? ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Framework for Grid Development Explained .............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Aims and Contents of the Environmental Constraints Report ............................................................................. 2 1.4 Environmental Multi-Criteria Assessment .................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Relationship to other Technical Reports ....................................................................................................................... 3 2. The Project ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Technologies Being Considered ...................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Study Areas .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 3. Environmental Constraints Considered....................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 3.2 Environmental Topics ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 4. Approach to Constraints Report ................................................................................................................. 12 4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 4.2 Preparation of Constraints Report ................................................................................................................................ 12 4.3 Heat Mapping ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13 5. Technology 1: Up-voltage of Existing 220 kV Circuits to 400 kV Circuit ....................................... 16 5.1 Overview of Technology 1 ............................................................................................................................................... 16 5.2 Technology 1 Study Area ................................................................................................................................................. 20 5.3 Assumptions and Limitations .......................................................................................................................................... 22 5.4 Environmental Constraints .............................................................................................................................................. 22 5.5 Key Constraints and Considerations for Technology 1 ....................................................................................... 37 5.6 Summary Environmental Multi-Criteria Assessment for Technology 1 ........................................................ 39 6. Technology 2: New 400 kV Overhead Line .............................................................................................. 41 6.1 Overview of Technology 2 ............................................................................................................................................... 41 6.2 Technology 2 Study Area ................................................................................................................................................. 41 6.3 Assumptions and Limitations .......................................................................................................................................... 42 6.4 Environmental Constraints .............................................................................................................................................. 43 6.5 Key Constraints and Considerations for Technology 2 ....................................................................................... 55 7. Technology 3: New Underground Cable Circuit..................................................................................... 57 7.1 Technical Background to the Technology ................................................................................................................. 57 7.2 Technology 3 Study Area ................................................................................................................................................. 58 7.3 Assumptions and Limitations .......................................................................................................................................... 58 7.4 Environmental Constraints .............................................................................................................................................. 59 7.5 Key Constraints and Considerations for Technology 3 ....................................................................................... 70 8. Summary of Technologies Evaluation....................................................................................................... 73 8.1 Evaluation of Options ......................................................................................................................................................... 73 ii CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Appendix A. Constraints Maps Appendix B. Heat Mapping Appendix C. Additional Information iii CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Abbreviations ACA Architectural Conservation Areas AAP Areas of Archaeological Potential AEOS Agri Environmental Options Scheme AIS Air insulated ASI Archaeological Survey of Ireland CAFE Cleaner Air for Europe CFRAM Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management CPD County Development Plan CSO Central Statistics Office EHV Extra High Voltage EPA Environmental Protection Agency GIS Geographic Information System GSI Geological Survey Ireland HDD Horizontal Directional Drilling IGHS Irish Geological Heritage Sites i-WeBS Irish Wetland Bird Survey LCA Landscape Character Area MVAr Mega Volt Amps (reactive) MCA Multi-Criteria Analysis NIAH National Inventory of Architectural Heritage NHA/ pNHA Natural Heritage Area/ Proposed Natural Heritage Area NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Services iv CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Abbreviations OHL Overhead Line OPW Office of Public Works PWS Public Water Supply RMP Record of Monuments and Places RPS Records of Protected Structures RBMP River Basin Management Plan SAC Special Area of Conservation, designated under the EU Habitats Directive SI Statutory Instrument SMR Sites and Monuments Record SPA Special Protection Area, designated under the EU Birds Directive TPC Total Project Cost TSO Transmission System Operator TSSPS Transmission System Security and Planning Standards UGC Underground cable WFD Water Framework Directive XLPE Cross-linked polyethylene v CP 966 Environmental Constraints Report Executive Summary Capital Project 966 (CP 966) is a proposed development that will help transfer electricity to the east of the country and distribute it within the network in Meath, Kildare and Dublin. The project will help meet the growing demand for electricity in the east. This growth is due to increased economic activity and the planned connection of new data centres in the region. CP 966 aims to strengthen the transmission network between Dunstown substation in Kildare and Woodland substation in Meath - and suggests a number of technical solutions to do so. The main three technological solutions being considered are: ▪ Technology 1: Up-voltage option – 220 kV OHL circuits