Draft GRID Implementation Plan 2017-2022 Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report EirGrid Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report Draft GRID Implementation Plan 2017-2022 Project No: 32106700 Document Title: Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report Document No.: 32106700_SEA_05 Revision: Final for issue Date: 20th April 2018 Client Name: EirGrid Client No: EirGrid Project Manager: JM Author: OD Jacobs Engineering Ireland Limited Merrion House Merrion Road Dublin D04 R2C5 Ireland T +353 1 269 5666 F +353 1 269 5497 www.jacobs.com © Copyright 2018 Jacobs Engineering Ireland Limited. The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Jacobs. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright. Limitation: This report 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 report by any third party. Document history and status Revision Date Description By Review Approved Final for issue 20/04/2018 Final revision for issue OD/Various RV/DM JM Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report How to Comment on this Report Consultation is being undertaken on the draft Grid Implementation Plan (Grid IP) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) documents to ensure that the knowledge, experience and views of stakeholders and the general public is taken into account at all stages of the development of the draft Grid IP and SEA. A copy of the draft Grid IP and the associated environmental reports and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is available via the EirGrid website as indicated below, along with Details on the process and deadline for submitting observations on these reports. All comments received will be carefully considered, and will inform the final Grid IP. www.eirgridgroup.com While all feedback is welcomed in respect of this consultation process, for convenience, a series of questions have been posed in relation to the draft Grid IP and associated environmental reports, and these are available electronically for comment on the EirGrid website detailed above. Comments and responses in relation to the draft Grid IP and associated environmental assessments (not limited to the questions outlined below) are invited so that these may be taken into account in preparing the final Grid IP. Questions on the draft Grid IP 2017-2022, SEA and AA draft Grid IP 2017-2022 1. Does the draft Grid IP 2017-2022 set out clearly EirGrid’s strategy for, and approach to, Grid development over the next 6 years? If not, what needs to be added/removed? 2. Do you have any comments on the policies and objectives outlined within the draft Grid IP 2017- 2022? 3. Would you add any further policies and objectives to the draft Grid IP 2017-2022? Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 1. Do you think the SEA has identified the potential significant effects of the draft Grid IP 2017- 2022? Are there any other environmental issues that should be considered? 2. Has the SEA Environmental Report, including the mitigation proposed within, addressed all relevant issues? If not what needs to be added/removed? 3. Is the monitoring proposed within the SEA Environmental Report appropriate? Would you propose any additional monitoring requirements? Appropriate Assessment (AA) 1. Has the Natura Impact Statement (NIS) addressed all the relevant issues? If not what additional aspects need to be considered? Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report Further information requests can be sent to the EirGrid SEA Team By Post: Jacobs Engineering, Merrion House, Merrion Road, Dublin 4. By Email: [email protected] In accordance with S.I. No. 435 of 2004 (European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes)) Regulations 2004, the draft Grid IP and this SEA Environmental Report will be formally issued to the SEA environmental authorities as set out in the SEA Regulation during this consultation period as detailed in Section 5 . Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report Non-Technical Summary Introduction Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a process that aims to provide a high level of protection to the environment, integrating environmental consideration into the preparation and adoption of plans. It promotes sustainable development for plans. This Environmental Report sets out the high level assessment that has been undertaken for the draft Grid Implementation Plan 2017-2022 (Grid IP). The findings of the assessments are published with the draft Grid IP and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) for public comment. The transmission system in Ireland, also known as ‘the grid’, refers to the high voltage electricity network and is made up of a network of electrical substations, power lines and underground cables. EirGrid is responsible for operating and maintaining a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient transmission system. EirGrid develops projects which are fundamental to continued social and economic development in the Republic of Ireland. ESB Networks are responsible for the construction of the grid as identified by EirGrid. Grid Implementation Plan The draft Grid IP identifies, at a strategic level, parts of the transmission system that are likely to be developed over the next six years. It identifies the issues, policies and objectives that will guide in developing the Grid. It also provides a list of projects envisaged to be developed over the cycle of the plan. The final Grid IP will be published in 2018 and will cover the five -year period from 2017 up to 2022. The draft Grid IP covers the Republic of Ireland. However, the draft Grid IP and the SEA documents has had careful regard to Grid development, and likely significant environmental effects of a transboundary nature, in particular including the various existing and planned electricity interconnectors between Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and France. Draft Grid IP Objectives EirGrid Strategy Statements (2017): The overall objectives of the draft Grid IP are: We will optimise the existing grid to To support the continued development of a safe secure minimise the need for new infrastructure. and reliable transmission system in Ireland. This is largely based on Ireland’s Grid Development Strategy; We will consider all practical technology Your Grid, Your Tomorrow. options. To review the first Grid IP published in 2012 and to update it in the context of the Strategy, policies and Inclusive consultation with local processes that have been developed in the interim. communities and stakeholders will be central to our approach To examine the successes and challenges encountered i Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report in delivering the previous IP and to integrate the lessons learned into the new IP. To identify and examine the high level environmental, social, technical, project development, planning and consenting matters for Grid development. To draft policies and objectives that will ensure theses issues are considerated in grid development undertaken during the Grid IP period. To examine the transmission infrastructure projects that are likely to be developed during the Grid IP period. These projects are taken from the current adopted Transmission Development Plan 2016-2026 (TDP). Draft Grid IP Content EirGrid have included a series of plan policies and objectives within the draft Grid IP to ensure that the environmental issues are considered in the process of Grid development and that Natura 2000 sites are protected. These policies and objectives are based on six categories as follows: Environment; Technology; Project Development; Planning and Consenting of Projects; Consultation and Engagement; and Human Beings and Society. The draft Grid IP outlines a number of future Grid development projects. The key drivers behind Grid development are shown below, along with the various project types that support this development. Many of the projects outlined within the draft Grid IP are in line with the Eirgrid strategy related to optimising the existing Grid. Drivers for Grid Development Connect new power Ensure a generation modern fit- sources Connect for-purpose customers National Grid Grid Development New Build (NB) Uprate (U) Modify (M) Refurbish/ Redevelopment Construction of new Upgrading existing A modification of Replace (R/R) (RD) infrastructure infrastructure to existing assets Maintenance of Redevelopment of higher existing assets assets due to the specifications condition and age ii Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report Alternatives As required by the SEA Directive, alternatives were considered taking account of the objectives and geographical scope of the draft Grid IP and with a view to identifying potential ways that EirGrid could achieve an appropriate and sustainable approach to the planning and consenting of transmission projects. In this regard alternatives were considered across three areas; namely plan level, scenario planning and project level alternatives. In terms of the plan assessment, a No Plan, no development alternative was initially considered. However, this was not