Habitats Directive Assessment in the Planning of High-Voltage Cables

The objective of the Natura 2000 examinations in this area is to determine whether construction and operation of cable connections could result in environmental problems, especially via functional relationships between the projected cable route and special protected areas. Cable connections may especially impact neighbouring Natura 2000 areas. Changes in the groundwater (inflow or outflow) for example can have large-scale effects and lead to significant ecosystem impairments in protected areas.

OECOS accompanied the permit process for the high voltage transmission line (offshore and onshore) between the offshore windfarm “GEOFReE” and the relay station in Göhl. Between others a formal FFH-compatibility testing relating to the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 network had to be carried out. The examination was updated several times in the following years.