A Developer s Perspective of the Aarhus Convention:

Transcription

1 A Developer s Perspective of the Aarhus Convention: EirGrid s Approach to Project Development April 2013 Des Cox, Senior Co-ordinator, Public Planning and Consents, EirGrid

2 Introduction to EirGrid Ireland s Independent electricity Transmission System Operator (TSO), and in conjunction with SONI, Operator of the Wholesale Power Market Commercial Semi-State Company Established by statute as TSO and licensed by Commission for Energy Regulation Separate from all parties in the electricity market

3 Role of EirGrid Operates the real-time system keeping the lights on. Plans and develops the transmission grid. Connects renewable and conventional generators. Manages the day to day operations of the market. Provides the channels of bulk power. Providing the channels for bulk power which are so critical for industry, investment and economic recovery throughout Ireland

4 The Transmission Grid High capacity, efficient, reliable link between Generation Demand centres Interconnections to other systems Grid needs to be developed when any of these change 440 km 1830 km 4000 km 400 kv 220 kv 110 kv

5 Objectives of Grid25 Balanced Regional Development Renewable and Conventional Generation Competitive Market Interconnection Sustainable Economic Development

6 COOLROE AGHADA WHITEGATE RB FINGLAS COLLEGE PARK INCHICORE RINAWADE CARRICKMINES COOKSTOWN POOLBEG SHELLYBANKS Primary Corridors for Reinforcement TRILLICK SORNE HILL LOGUESTOWN COLERAINE Government 40% target for renewables COOLKEERAGH LISAGHMORE KILTOY LETTERKENNY MEENTYCAT DRUMKEEN STRABANE LIMAVADY BALLYMENA KELLS BALLYLUMFORD LARNE B MOYLE INTERCONNECTOR CREAGH 4,000 MW of wind generation in Gate 3 BINBANE CATHALEEN'S FALL GOLAGH CLIFF OMAGH MAGHERAFELT ANTRIM DUNGANNON TAMNAMORE DRUMNAKELLY WARINGSTOWN EDEN CR KILROOT GG PW RATHGAEL R DG BC K HT CG NEWTOWNARDS FINAGHY CASTLEREAGH LISBURN Major studies ongoing in each region to identify feasible solutions. TAWNAGHMORE BELLACORICK MOY SLIGO CORDERRY SRANANAGH CORRACLASSY CUNGHILL ARIGNA CARRICK -ON- SHANNON TONROE GILRA ENNISKILLEN GORTAWEE SHANKILL TANDRAGEE BANBRIDGE LISDRUM NEWRY DUNDALK RATRUSSAN LOUTH MULLAGHARLIN MEATH HILL BALLYNAHINCH Subject to SEA CASTLEBAR DALTON FLAGFORD LANESBORO RICHMOND ARVA NAVAN KNOCKUMBER GORMAN DRYBRIDGE PLATIN BALTRASNA MULLINGAR WOODLAND CORDUFF GLASMORE CLOON ATHLONE KINNEGAD HUNTSTOWN BALGRIFFIN GALWAY CASHLA SHANNONBRIDGE THORNSBERRY DERRYIRON DUNFIRTH MAYNOOTH CUSHALING BLAKE NORTH WALL IRISHTOWN SOMERSET TYNAGH OLDSTREET DERRYBRIEN DALLOW MONREAD NEWBRIDGE BARODA DUNSTOWN KILTEEL POLLAPHUCA TURLOUGH HILL FASSAROE AGANNYGAL PORTLAOISE ATHY STRATFORD BALLYBEG IKERRIN BOOLTIAGH ENNIS DRUMLINE NENAGH LISHEEN CARLOW KELLIS ARKLOW TULLABRACK MONEYPOINT TARBERT PROSPECT MUNGRET SEALROCK MONETEEN CASTLEFARM AUGHINISH ARDNACRUSHA AHANE KILLONAN THURLES KILKENNY BALLYCUMMIN LIMERICK RATHKEALE CRANE BALLYWATER TIPPERARY TRIEN CHARLEVILLE CAHIR DOON ANNER BALLYDINE WEXFORD TRALEE WATERFORD GREAT ISLAND GLENLARA CULLENAGH KILLOTERAN BUTLERSTOWN OUGHTRAGH MALLOW DUNGARVAN KNOCKEARAGH BARRYMORE GARROW CLONKEEN COOMAGEARLAHY GLANLEE CLASHAVOON KNOCKRAHA KILBARRY INNISCARRA MACROOM MARINA TRABEG HARTNETT S CARRIGADROHID CROSS RAFFEEN BRINNY BALLYLICKEY DUNMANWAY BANDON

7 That s all good.. Isn t it?

8 So why is it a Challenge?

9 The biggest challenge facing the Transmission System Operator today is the development of the high voltage transmission grid to meet the country s demand for more economical, reliable and environmentally friendly electric power.

10 Balancing Grid Development Security & Reliability Balance Costs & Efficiency Community & Environment

11 Public Opposition to Projects

12 Oh, and an added complexity Electricity Transmission Infrastructure is STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Direct submission of applications to ABP; Emphasis on public participation (often with oral hearings); Focus on the process of decision-making; Key issues for transmission development now include ecology (AA), planning, communications, legal & engineering.

13 The Aarhus Convention First signed in Aarhus, Denmark in June 1998; Entered into force in October 2001; Finally ratified by the Irish Government in June 2012; However, consideration has been given to its provisions in the intervening decade;

14 3 Pillars of the Aarhus Convention Access to Environmental Information: the right of everyone to receive environmental information that is held by public authorities. Public Participation in Environmental Decision-Making; the right to participate in environmental decision-making. Access to Justice; the right to review procedures to challenge public decisions that have been made without respecting the two aforementioned rights or environmental law in general.

15 Public Participation in Environmental Decision-Making The key pillar for the planning and development of grid infrastructure (Article 6 of the Convention). This includes proposed developments which affect a receiving environment. Public submissions must be taken into consideration in the decision-making process refers to Statutory decisions. However, it is considered best practice that this also includes EirGrid as it takes decisions in shaping its projects.

16 But is this anything new for Ireland? Public participation in decision-making under the Aarhus Convention has been implemented by Directive 2003/35/EC on public participation ( the Public Participation Directive ). Several pieces of legislation have been used to transpose the Public Participation Directive into planning law. But has this not been the case in Ireland for some time? written submissions? oral hearings? public consultation?

17 And How to Ensure Public Participation is Meaningful in developing technical projects? Wide Range of Possible Options (all must be adequately assessed) Smaller Range of Options Single Option Planning Application Consultation

18 EirGrid s Project Development and Consultation Roadmap

19 Conclusions Grid25 will provide a strong platform for strategic growth, as well as meeting National targets and European Directives; Public concern localised? perception? Always legitimate; Public participation is a key pillar both of the Aarhus Convention, and of EirGrid s approach to project development; incorporating matters of planning, ecology, environment, communications, legal, as well as engineering; Always better to engage early get buy-in, or understand issues, before binding decisions are made.

20 Thank You Q&A