Assessment of potential significant effects and proposal of mitigation measures
As previously mentioned, the Grid25 Implementation Programme provides an indicative overview of the general approach proposed for the future development of the grid and does not prescribe exactly the location of infrastructure. As such, this has the effect of limiting the level of assessment that can be undertaken and means that the assessment of potential significant effects has to be made in general terms. A general examination of impacts and sensitivities was therefore carried out. The assessment identified the types of impacts on the habitats and species affected that could be envisaged for the following main components of the IP: overhead transmission lines; underground cables; construction of new substations and extension of existing substations; reinforcement of the transmission system in the regions. For the latter, the main sensitivities in each region were identified and recommendations to avoid the expected impacts were outlined (e.g. avoidance of certain particularly sensitive areas in the reinforcement of the transmission system in the region, encourage to locate sub-stations and overhead routes on urban land, or in areas that contain dense corridors of anciently established settlement while avoiding more sensitive upland interiors etc.). The assessment also identified the impacts for a number of network developments that have progressed to detailed design stage (although the location and route of these projects is not fixed yet) on the Natura 2000 sites located in their proximity and therefore having potential to be affected by the individual projects in question. Due to the strategic nature of the Grid25 IP, it could not be conclusively stated at that stage that the IP will not adversely affect the integrity of the Natura 2000 network. Therefore, mitigation measures were proposed to ensure that significant impacts are avoided. Two levels of mitigation measures have been proposed. The first level of measures will guide the strategic approach to mitigating impacts and the second level of mitigation measures are more impact specific and shall be applied where significant impacts are identified following project level environmental impact assessment (EIA) and appropriate assessment. General mitigation measures are outlined for the main categories of impact identified and for the main habitats and species potentially affected. For instance, regarding general habitat loss and disturbance, avoidance and mitigation measures are described for bogs and peatland areas, birds, bats, otters, water dependant habitats and species, freshwater pearl mussel, other protected species, etc. The consideration of mitigation measures will prioritise the avoidance of impacts in the first place and mitigate impacts where these cannot be avoided. In addition, all lower level projects arising through the implementation of the IP will themselves be subject to appropriate assessment when further details of design and location are known. Having incorporated mitigation measures, it is considered that the Grid25 Implementation Programme will not have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of the Natura 2000 network. Nevertheless, all the projects to be implemented in the framework of the IP will be screened and subject to appropriate assessment as required. Source: Natura Impact Statement in support of the Appropriate Assessment of the Grid25 implementation programme. Available at: https://www.eirgridgroup.com/site-files/library/EirGrid/Natura-Impact-Statement-in-Support-of-the-Appropriate-Assessment-of-the-Grid25-Implementation-Plan.pdf
Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-25 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.