Environmental and Social Data Sheet

Transcription

1 Environmental and Social Data Sheet Overview Project Name: Project Number: Country: Austria Project Description: IMWIND WIND POWER II Construction and operation of 11 wind parks for a total capacity of 183 MW located in the Austrian Federal States of Lower Austria and Burgenland. This would be the second operation with the promoter. EIA required: multi-investment project, EIA requirements vary Project included in Carbon Footprint Exercise 1 : yes (details for projects included are provided in section: EIB Carbon Footprint Exercise ) Summary of Environmental and Social Assessment, including key issues and overall conclusion and recommendation The wind farms are located on agricultural land. Their locations are in-line with the applicable spatial development plans. Corresponding authorisation processes have been pursued based on initial environmental assessments and public consultation. Due to their technical characteristics, wind farms fall under Annex II of the EIA Directive. 2011/92/EU. Therefore, they can be subject to a full EIA on a case by case decision by the competent authority (the government at federal state level). All but one wind farm of this project have been screened-in. At the time of appraisal, all wind farms including their grid connections have completed their environmental approval processes. Their minimum distance to Natura 2000 sites ranges between 0.2 and 6 km, respectively. Those 10 wind farms that were subject to an EIA underwent comprehensive environmental impact assessments, Appropriate Assessments of potential impacts on nearby Natura 2000 sites, and public consultation, all in line with the relevant EU directives. The competent authorities confirmed that these projects have no significant negative impacts when all mitigation measures are implemented. The most relevant residual impacts are temporary nuisance during construction and visual impacts during operation. Noise levels during operation must be below defined levels. Residual impacts on birds and bats are mitigated by appropriate siting of the wind turbines and the installation of new bird and bat habitats in the project areas, where this is deemed necessary to protect the potentially affected species. The promoter is in the process of applying for amendment to the permits of two wind farms with respect to key mitigation measures. It is suggested that the promoter undertakes to send the Bank any amended permit, if such amendment relates to key mitigation measures of the underlying permit. The single wind farm that was permitted without an EIA concerns the installation of three individual turbines inside an existing wind farm that was authorised in 2010 on the basis of an EIA. The environmental analysis and consultations pursued during the permit amendment process and the quality of the underlying EIA process are both satisfactory to the Bank. In summary, this operation is considered acceptable under environmental and social aspects, with the above condition. 1 Only projects that meet the scope of the Pilot Exercise, as defined in the EIB draft Carbon Footprint Methodologies, are included, provided estimated emissions exceed the methodology thresholds: above 100,000 tons CO2e/year absolute (gross) or 20,000 tons CO2e/year relative (net) both increases and savings.

2 Environmental and Social Assessment Environmental Assessment The operation comprises the below wind farms: Wind farm name Located inside the following municipalities (federal state) Capacity (MW) Trautmannsdorf Nord, Trautmannsdorf an der Leitha, 18 Trautmannsdorf Nord G Göttlesbrunn-Arbesthal (Lower Austria) Groβkrut-Hauskirchen- Groβkrut, Hauskirchen, Wilfersdorf (Lower 19 Wilfersdorf Austria) Höflein Ost Höflein (Lower Austria) 6 Ladendorf Ladendorf (Lower Austria) 18 Paasdorf-Lanzendorf Mistelbach, Gaweinstal (Lower Austria) 16 Andlersdorf-Orth Andlersdorf, Orth an der Donau (Lower Austria) 30 Parndorf V Parndorf (Burgenland) 15 Bruckneudorf Bruckneudorf (Burgenland) 3 Karlwald/Nick Erweiterung Nickelsdorf (Burgenland) 7 Edmundshof Gols, Mönchhof (Burgenland) 24 Loidesthal Loidesthal, Groβinzernsdorf (Lower Austria) 26 All wind farms have completed their spatial planning (re-zoning) process prior to environmental authorisation. This process was based on a preliminary environmental assessment and included consultation with neighbouring municipalities and the wider public. Amongst other considerations, minimum distances to residential areas are respected. Re-zoning decisions in Austria are made in-line with regional wind farm development plans where such plans exist. The re-zoning of land for the wind farms in Lower Austria was executed primarily at a time before a wind farm development plan at the federal state level existed. Nevertheless, their individual locations respect key spatial planning aspects such as minimum distances to residential areas and the positioning of new wind farms close to existing ones (densification). The Andlersdorf-Orth wind farm (Lower Austria) is located in a preferential development zone of a regional development plan of several municipalities which was supported by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The Loidesthal wind farm is the only Lower Austrian project of this operation that has been re-zoned on the basis of the new regional wind farm development plan which entered into force in 2014 on the basis of an SEA. All wind farms in Burgenland were re-zoned on the basis of a dedicated wind farm development plan that had been issued by the government of Burgenland on the basis of an SEA (last update took place in 2014). After re-zoning, the wind farms were subject to environmental authorisation. The corresponding EISs assess potential impacts on human beings (in particular noise and shadow flicker), species and habitats (with a focus on protected sites, birds and bats), soil and agriculture, water, forests, hunting, landscape, air and climate, and cultural habitat. Impact analyses on birds and bats were based on onsite observations by experts over a full year. Cumulative impacts were taken into consideration in view of the density of wind farm development in the project areas. The single wind farm that was screened out is the extension to an existing wind farm. The corresponding authorisation process was about the amendment of the initial permit that had undergone an EIA. The permit amendment process further included an updated environmental assessment, focussing on the additional wind turbines potential impacts on protected sites, birds and bats. The granted environmental permits generally oblige the promoter to implement the projects as described in the EISs and to apply additional mitigation measures, e.g. on health and safety, ground water protection, noise and traffic during construction, and noise, shadow flickering and icing risks during operation. Bird and bat habitats, where required, must be created and monitored for the whole operating lifetime of a wind farm and in accordance with detailed requirements that are specific to the target species.

3 Supplementary information related to the fully permitted wind farms is provided below (it is noted that authorisations often relate to wind farms that are being developed jointly by several promoters. That is why in several cases the permitting procedure relates to more wind turbines than those owned by the promoter of this operation): Trautmannsdorf Nord/ Trautmannsdorf Nord: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 11 wind turbines out of which 6 are attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 site is the Site of Community Interest (SCI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) Feuchte Ebene Leithaauen (AT1220V00, AT ) which is at least 1 km away. The competent authority granted permit to this wind farm in April The permit obliges the promoter to install 7 ha of bat habitat in the project region in order to mitigate potential impacts on such species. It further obliges the promoter to establish 3800 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca m2. In June 2014, the Competent Authority granted permit to minor amendments of the project upon request by the promoter. Groβkrut-Hauskirchen-Wilfersdorf: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 12 wind turbines out of which 6 are attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 site is the SCI Weinvierteler Klippenzone (AT1206A00) which is at least 4.5 km away and the closest SPA is over 8 km away from the wind farm. The competent authority granted the permit to this wind farm in September The number of permitted wind turbines (12) is slightly lower than what was originally suggested in the EIS (13), following the agreement with an NGO that had raised concerns about the project s potential impacts on the great grey shrike (Raubwürger). The permit obliges the promoter to create 36 ha of bird habitat in the project region in order to mitigate potential impacts on the great grey shrike. There are also restrictions as regards the timing of installation works for some turbines in order to protect birds during their breeding period. Additionally, the promoter has to establish 540 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca. 180 m2. Höflein Ost: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 12 wind turbines out of which 2 are attributed to this project. The remaining 10 turbines are part of the Bank s operation ENERGIEPARK BRUCK WIND POWER. Hence this wind farm has already been appraised by Bank services and deemed satisfactory with respect to environmental aspects. Ladendorf: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 6 wind turbines which is fully attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 site is the SCI Weinviertler Klippenzone (AT1206A00) which is ca. 3.5 km away. The closest SPA is ca. 22 km away. The competent authority granted the permit to this wind farm in September The project faced complaints for various reasons from several residents during authorisation. All concerns were discussed with experts and taken into consideration where deemed appropriate by the Competent Authority. The permit obliges the promoter to install 3 ha of bird habitat in the project region in order to mitigate potential impacts on several bird species. It further obliges the promoter to establish ca m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca. 500 m2. Paasdorf-Lanzendorf: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 11 wind turbines out of which 5 are attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside but close to several protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 site is the SCI Weinviertler Klippenzone (AT1206A00) which is ca. 4 km away. The closest SPA is around 21 km away.

4 The competent authority granted the permit to this wind farm in December The number of permitted wind turbines (11) is significantly lower than what was originally suggested in the EIS (17), following the agreement with an NGO that had raised concerns about the project s potential impacts on the black stork and the red milan. The permit obliges the promoter to create 16.5 ha of habitat specifically for the black stork in the project region in order to mitigate potential impacts on it. Additionally, 3 ha of new habitat must be created for the red milan. There are also restrictions as regards the timing of installation works for several turbines that are located close to a forest in order to protect birds during their breeding period. The permit also obliges the promoter to establish 870 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca. 290 m2. In order to limit noise emissions during operation, there are specific operating restrictions applicable to 2 wind turbines. After granting of the permit it became apparent that the stork protection concept faces serious implementation difficulties. In particular, the establishment of 16 ha of wetland was in conflict with low ground water levels in the arid project region. Consequently, the promoter and the NGO have jointly worked out an improved stork protection concept that provides no less protection but significantly improved feasibility. A corresponding application for amendment of the permit will be submitted by the promoter in due time. The cable route also needs to be modified slightly. It is suggested that the promoter undertakes to send the Bank the amended permit, if granted. Andlersdorf-Orth: The Andlersdorf-Orth wind farm (lower Austria) is located in a particularly environmentally sensitive area of Lower Austria that completed a regional wind farm development plan by 8 municipalities in May The plan is based on a Strategic Environmental Assessment undertaken in collaboration with bird experts and an NGO. It identifies appropriate areas for wind farm development in this sensitive region. The Andlersdorf-Orth wind farm is supported by this plan. The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 13 wind turbines out of which 10 are attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside but close to areas of nature conservation interest: the closest ones are the SPA/SCI/national park Donau Auen östlich von Wien (AT1204V00 and AT ; at least 250 m distant to the project) and the SPA Sandboden und Praterterasse (AT1213V00) which is at least 1.5 km away from the project. The competent authority granted the permit to this wind farm in June 2013, a month after the regional development plan was completed. The number of permitted wind turbines (13) is significantly lower than what was originally suggested in the EIS (19). The project faced complaints from several residents during authorisation for various reasons. All concerns were discussed with experts and taken into consideration where deemed appropriate by the Competent Authority. The permit obliges the promoter to establish 52 ha of habitat for sea eagles and black kites in the project region in order to mitigate potential impacts on such species. In order to limit noise emissions during night hours, operating restrictions are applicable to several wind turbines. The permit had been legally challenged in two cases, for reasons including potential impacts on landscape, birds, and noise. Both appeals have been declined by the courts in charge. The cable route and the main entrance road into the wind farm need to be modified slightly. A corresponding application for amendment of the permit will be submitted by the promoter in due time. Parndorf V: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 10 wind turbines out of which 5 are attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas but close to several protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 site is the SCI Feuchte Ebene Leithaauen (AT ) which is just 0.4 km distant to the closest turbine. The closest bird protection site is the combined Nature Parc, SPA and SCI Neusiedler See Nordöstliches Leithagebirge (AT ) which is at least 2.7 km distant to the project. The competent authority granted permit to this wind farm in December The number of permitted wind turbines (10) is lower than what was originally suggested in the EIS (14) following siting constraints imposed by the revised regional wind farm development plan and the conflict of one initially planned turbine with communication services.

5 The permit obliges the promoters to install 1.4 ha of extensive set-aside land in the project region in order to mitigate the project-related loss of unsealed ground and potential residual impacts on bats. Further, individual turbines must be switched off temporarily as soon as shaddow flickering takes place at a location that is already impacted by neighbouring wind farms. The permit also obliges the promoter to establish 5219 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca m2. Bruckneudorf: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 3 wind turbines out of which 1 is attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas but very close to two of them. Te SCI Feuchte Ebene Leithaauen (AT ) and the combined Nature Parc, SPA and SCI Neusiedler See Nordöstliches Leithagebirge (AT ) are both just 200 and 500 m, respectively, away from the closest turbine. Other sites are at least 3-5 km distant to the project. The competent authority granted permit to this wind farm in December The number of permitted wind turbines (3) is lower than what was originally suggested in the EIS (8) following siting constraints imposed by the revised regional wind farm development plan. The permit obliges the promoter to establish 735 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca. 250 m2. Karlwald/Nick Erweiterung: The authorisation process relates to extension of an existing large windfarm by 3 wind turbines of which all three are attributed to this project. The new turbines are located between other turbines along the at the border line of the existing wind farm, ca. 500m distant to the SPA Parndorfer Platte - Heideboden (AT ). The permit for the existing wind farm was granted in 2010 based on an EIA process and related to 43 turbines. The permit to install and operate the additional 3 wind turbines of this project was granted in December 2014 as an amendment to the initial permit of 2010, as amended in The permit amendment obliges the promoter to implement and monitor 7.5 ha of additional habitat under the Imperial Eagle Action Plan which is a key mitigation measure of the underlying permit. In addition, it obliges the promoter to establish 1476 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca. 500 m2. The underlying EIA process for the existing wind farm was appraised by Bank Services under operation IMWIND WIND POWER and deemed satisfactory. Edmundshof: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 14 wind turbines out of which 8 are attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 sites are the SPA Parndorfer Platte Heideboden (AT , ca. 2.4 km distant to the closest turbine) and the SPA Mosoni-Sik (HUFH 10004, ca. 3.2 km distant to the project). The competent authority granted permit to this wind farm in December The permit obliges the promoter to establish 2175 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of 725 m2. The promoter in its EIS further proposed to install 1.0 ha of extensive set-aside land in the project region in order to mitigate the project-related loss of unsealed ground. Loidesthal: The authorisation process relates to a wind farm of 8 wind turbines which is fully attributed to this project. The wind turbines are located outside protected nature areas. The closest Natura 2000 site is the SCI and SPA March-Thaya-Auen (AT , AT1202V00) in at least 6.0 km distance. The competent authority granted permit to this wind farm in December The permit obliges the promoter to install 8 ha of bat habitat in the project region in order to mitigate potential impacts on birds of prey. It further obliges the promoter to establish 1389 m2 of forest in the project region as compensation for necessary deforestations of ca. 460 m2.

6 EIB Carbon Footprint Exercise The direct CO2 equivalent emissions of the 11 wind farms under this investment programme are negligible. In accordance with the Bank s Carbon Footprint methodology it is calculated that the total relative effect of the 11 wind farms is a net reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions by 226 kt CO2e/yr. This calculation assumes that 75% of generated electricity substitute power generation in existing fossil fuel based power plants whilst 25% substitute power generation in new gas-fired combined cycle power plants. For the annual accounting purposes of the EIB Carbon Footprint, the project emissions will be prorated according to the EIB lending amount signed in that year, as a proportion of project cost. Public Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement, where required In Austria, an EIA based authorisation process for wind farms comprises the following public consultations: A first public consultation takes place for each scheme during re-zoning. This process is managed by the municipality where the project is predominantly located and based on a consultation of directly affected and neighbouring municipalities, the public, and the competent authority at the federal state level. An additional public consultation is part of the EIA based environmental approval process. Project descriptions and EIS incl. Appropriate Assessments are published for six weeks. During this period every eligible party can launch an appeal. Appeals are publicly discussed with experts during a subsequent hearing. Results of this process feed into the reasoned opinion of the competent authority. Other Environmental and Social Aspects n.a. PJ/ECSO