Striving for the Best Interaction

We analyse the impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities of our activity in the environment. This allows us to include biodiversity in decision-making and implement a mitigation hierarchy that either helps minimise our footprint and regenerates or transforms ecosystems.

Interaction with Biodiversity
Measuring More for Better Management

Deploying the necessary electricity and telecommunications infrastructure for ecological and digital transformations involves engaging with nature. It also entails creating impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities in a two-way sense: from our company to the environment and vice versa.

To fulfil our mission, we need to access the land, soil, and sea, as well as consume natural resources, either directly or through our supply chain. At the same time, our activity is not immune to natural phenomena or to the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, issues that pose risks to us.

Understanding all of this helps us direct the flow of our investments and implement measures to prevent, minimise, and correct the possible effects of our activity on the environment.

To measure it, we rely on the guidance of international initiatives such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN), as well as the Natural Capital Protocol and the ENCORE tool.

biodiversidad

Our Impact and Dependence on Natural Resources

We apply the impact mitigation hierarchy in the management of biodiversity throughout the life cycle of our infrastructures: design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning. For more information regarding our methodology for assessing and prioritising nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities, please see our #IDRO project.

Hierarchy of Mitigation of Impacts on Biodiversity Management
AspectsPotential impact (1)Materiality of impact
icono carbónicono generación


Resource Consumption and Generation

  • Consumption of raw materials by the supply chain necessary for the manufacturing of equipment and materials used by the activity in its different phases.
  • Generation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
media
icono especiesicono árbol sostenibilidad


Habitats, species

  • Destruction and/or alteration, modification of terrestrial and aquatic habitat conditions.
  • Displacement of species.
  • Collisions of birdlife with grounding cable.
  • Elimination of protected vegetation/flora (opening of security corridor, accesses, cables).
  • Occurrence and spread of fires.
Alta
icono viento


Air Quality

  • Dust and particles emissions .
  • Emission of combustion gases from vehicles.
Baja
icono ruido


Noise

  • Noise emission from the transit of machinery on land, use of vessels at sea that generate nuisance or adverse effects on species and the population during construction and maintenance.
Baja
icono suelo


Soil

  • Change in the use of land.
  • Soil compaction.
  • Erosion.
  • Degradation of the soil environment.
  • Variations in soil quality due to accidental spills of oils and fuels.
Alta
icono agua


Water

  • Damage to waterways due to the circulation of machinery.
  • Interruption/modification of the drainage network.
  • Variations in water quality due to accidental spills of oils and fuels.
Baja
icono paisaje


Landscape

  • Visual impact.
  • Loss of landscape quality.
  • Artificialisation of land.
Alta
icono emisiones de GEI


GHG emissions

  • SF6 emissions.
  • CO2 emissions
media
icono torre


Electromagnetic fields

  • Generation of electric and magnetic fields.
Baja

(1) The ENCORE 1 tool has been mainly used, adjusting it as closely as possible to Redeia's business model (Services, Electricity Services, Transmission and Distribution of Electrical Energy). The main differences between the ENCORE analysis and the internally conducted expert-based analysis lie in the categorisation of the species asset, which, unlike to the internal materiality analysis, decreases from High to Medium relevance. Additionally, the atmosphere asset, classified as Medium relevance in the internal analysis, is characterised by ENCORE as highly relevant. As an explanation for this disparity, it is important to note that ENCORE’s results are global in nature and cover the entire electricity sector, with a particular focus on the transmission and distribution of electricity from hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power stations. For this reason, natural assets such as the atmosphere and species may have variations in their assessment compared to the internal analysis.

Dependencias de diseño de las estrategias para reducir los riesgos operacionales, sociales, de mercado, legales o financieros para la compañía
DependencyMaterialityDescription of ecosystem serviceNatural assets (1)
Climate RegulationmediaGlobal climate regulation is provided by nature through the long-term capacity to store carbon dioxide in soils, plant biomass, and oceans. On a regional scale, climate patterns are regulated by the intricate interplay of ocean currents and wind systems. while, at local and micro level, the presence of vegetation has the power to influence and modify temperature, humidity, and wind speeds.
  • Atmosphere.
  • Habitats.
  • Soils and sediments.
  • Species.
  • Water.
Protection against floods and storms (2)AltaFlood and storm protection is provided through the shelter, buffering and attenuation effects of natural and planted vegetation.
  • Habitats.
Stabilisation and Erosion ControlAltaErosion stabilisation and control is achieved through protection by vegetation cover and stabilising terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as wetlands and coastal dunes. Vegetation on slopes also prevents avalanches and landslides. Mangroves, seaweed and macroalgae provide protection against coastal erosion.
  • Habitats.
  • Soil geomorphology.
  • Soils and sediments.

(1) Natural assets providing ecosystem services.
(2) In ENCORE, this dependency had a materiality of Very High for the subservice ‘Transmission and distribution of electrical energy’.

Regarding the upstream supply chain, it was identified that primary dependency lies in the use of raw materials, both mineral and non-mineral, for the construction and operation of electricity transmission lines (both overhead and underground), substations, equipment, etc.

Lastly, a high indirect dependence on ecosystem services linked to the natural asset ‘landscape’ was identified when mitigating ecosystem services linked to the visual impact that transmission lines may generate, in order to avoid future social conflicts.

We Manage Biodiversity Using the Mitigation Hierarchy Approach

Biodiversity management is carried out using the hierarchy of impact mitigation approach. Through our mitigation hierarchy, we design and implement effective strategies and measures to avoid, minimise, restore, and compensate for the effects associated with our impacts and dependencies (risks and opportunities). Moreover, we go a step further by contributing to the regeneration of biodiversity and transforming the system to modify the fundamental causes or factors driving nature loss.

Mitigation Hierarchy Approach


1. We Avoid

We Avoid

When defining the location of our facilities, our priority is avoiding areas rich in biodiversity, protected spaces, or those with species of interest. Our methodology for the preparation of environmental impact studies establishes the requirement of not affecting areas classified as Natura Network and Priority Habitat.

Main Avoidance Measures
Main avoidance measures
Introduction of modifications in the design and layout of facilities to mitigate their impact on flora and birdlife: compacting or increasing the height of towers, relocation of towers, modification of access roads, etc.
Preliminary surveys to identify the presence of protected flora and fauna.
Detailed field studies on specific issues related to biodiversity, such as reports on the impact on protected areas.
Construction of decanting pools and filters to prevent contamination of waterways.
Use of sensitivity and risk maps to identify species at risk of collision (focal species), habitats or areas where they may be found, and sensitive areas with factors influencing the probability of accidents. (Flight Paths project).
Signage and protection of habitats and species of high ecological value to avoid them being harmed when carrying out works.
Use of construction techniques that minimise earthworks and the occupation of land (reducing the opening up of access roads, the size of work sites, and storage areas for materials): hoisting structures with a boom crane, hanging of line by hand, or carrying out works for conductor stringing using a helicopter or drones.
Recovery and setting aside of topsoil for use in final landscaping works.
Transplanting of flora species that may be affected by the work to other areas to be replanted.
Biological stoppages in 100% of the works during breeding or nesting periods to reduce impacts on the fauna that may be affected. In 2022, stoppages were carried out in 12 ongoing actions, some of which lasted up to 7 months.
Stoppage of work in periods or situations of high fire risk.
Provision of resources and specific training for the prevention of forest fires.
2. We Reduce

We Reduce

If we are not able to avoid areas rich in biodiversity, we minimise any potential impacts. For example, Red Eléctrica marks lines with bird flight diverters by increasing the height of towers, or managing flora in security corridors to prevent forest fires.

Main Reduction Measures
Main Reduction Measures
Recovery of affected areas by restoring slopes, sowing, and planting.
Carrying out selective pruning, avoiding felling of wooded and leafy areas and plant formations of interest.
Preventive clearing in forested areas that represent a fire risk: elimination of scrub associated with pastures that have high density and height.
Mapping and characterisation of all priority habitats (sites of community interest - SICs) and other plant formations of interest in the vicinity of 100% of the transmission lines. All this data will be consolidated in the corporate geographic information system (GIS). (HABITAT Project).
Implementation of a multi-year (2016-2025) line marking plan for overhead transmission lines that involves the installation of bird flight diverters in critical birdlife priority areas.
Early detection system for the collision of birds with high-voltage lines. Through devices installed on the grounding cables of the lines and connected to its internal fibre optic cable, it will be possible to obtain early information that could favour the recovery of individual birds that have collided with the lines and that are still alive (ALERION Project).
System for the early detection of forest fires using the towers of the transmission lines and by means of sensors based on the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which captures the radiation emitted by the fire and automatically sends warnings to the system operator, reducing the reaction time of firefighting agents, with a consequent reduction in costs and environmental and personal damage (PRODINT Project).
Integrated management of each type of habitat identified to ensure proper monitoring and preservation during maintenance activities of our facilities.
Optimisation of vegetation treatment tasks under power lines through an algorithm that analyses the state of vegetation, growth index, distance to the power line, legal requirements, and other established criteria (VEGETA Project).
3. We Restore

We Restore

We restore affected areas through tree and vegetation planting. In the case of the Mediterranean, recovering Posidonia oceanica forests. Besides, we eradicate invasive species and participate in conservation projects for focal bird species.

Main Restoration Measures
Main Restoration Measures
Projects for the conservation of focal birdlife species.
Redeia Forest: 993 ha recovered (2009-2022).
In 2022:
  • Forest restoration in Vizcaya: 14.23 ha reforested and recovery of 105 ha of beech forest (planting, forestry works, and fencing off the area).
  • Navarra Forest: 47.37 ha recovered.
  • Ávila Forest: 30.22 ha recovered.
Marine restoration (Posidonia oceanica): 2 ha recovered. Currently, under scientific control and monitoring (Majorca Marine Forest).
Mareta del Río marsh/wetland restoration project (in Tenerife in collaboration with SEO BirdLife).
Eradication of invasive species - Pampas Grass (Cortaderia seollana) – in collaboration with SEO BirdLife
Eradication of invasive species – Elephant Grass (Arundo donax) - in collaboration with Fundación Limne.
Research on invasive species – microalgae (Rugulopteryx okamurae) – in collaboration with the University of Seville.
4. We Regenerate

We Regenerate

We take other environmental improvement measures to offset and contribute positively to the protection and conservation of biodiversity.

Main Regeneration Measures
Main Regeneration Measures
Management of the surface area of the security corridors of transmission lines as a connector between natural spaces favouring the mobility of species under pressure from fragmentation and habitat reduction. In addition, other more generalist species (without dispersal problems) would benefit from the presence of a varied ecosystem, increasing biodiversity in the area.(BIORED-Green Infrastructure).
Use of electricity towers as biodiversity islands (stepping-stones), generating an increase in the abundance and biodiversity of birdlife as well as in the number of micromammals and mainly pollinator invertebrates (BIOTRANSPORTE Project, awarded in 2022 with the RGI (Renewables Grid Initiative) Good Practice of the Year Award)
Boosting the potential of the transmission grid as a corridor and reservoir of biodiversity by studying the biodiversity associated with the safety corridors and the base of the electricity line towers (Naturaleza en Red Project).
Maintenance of vegetation beneath high-voltage electricity lines with extensive livestock farming. (Pastoreo en RED Project). This project has been qualified as a nature-based solution according to the IUCN standard.
Incorporation of green spaces in urban and industrial environments into the network of ecological corridors in corporate buildings (Life BooGi-BOP Project).
5. We Transform

We Transform

We undertake actions aimed at driving cultural transformation to change in the system and tackling the fundamental causes or factors that drive the loss of nature. We maintain commitments and collaboration frameworks, as well as alliances in biodiversity conservation with the competent areas of the state administration and other organisations in the different autonomous communities.

Main Transformation Measures
Main Transformation Measures
Commitments and Memberships
  • Biodiversity Pact since 2013. Spanish Initiative for Business and Biodiversity (IEEB) promoted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD).
  • Business for Nature initiative.
  • Adherence to the Global Compact’s Sustainable ocean principles.
  • Adherence to the European Grid Declaration on Grid Development and Nature Conservation.
  • Signatory of the European Marine Grid Declaration.
  • Transnational Strategy to fight against Cortaderia selloana in the Atlantic Arc.
  • Forest fire prevention agreements with 10 regions (Autonomous Communities).
Working Groups
  • Biodiversity working group with MITERD’s Sub-directorate General for Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity.
  • Natural Capital in the Spanish energy sector, Natural Capital Coalition.
  • Natural Capital of the Spanish Green Growth Group (GECV, by its acronym in Spanish).
  • ISO Committee CTN 328 Biodiversity.
Alliances and Collaboration Framework
  • SEO BirdLife (Spanish Ornithological Society).
  • IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.
  • Global Nature Foundation.
  • Agreements regarding the conservation of species with various entities in the Third sector.
Alliances and Collaboration Framework
  • Basuraleza Project.
  • Project for nesting boxes and feeding platforms for birds.
  • The ‘Naturalist’ Diary.
Communication and Transparency
  • Environmental section and Biodiversity subsection on the corporate website.
  • Sustainability Report.
  • EMAS Environmental Statements.