Occupation of protected areas

Knowing in which protected areas and places rich in biodiversity the Group operates is key to correct managements of its activities, analysing their potential impact to adopt mitigation measures or implement restoration and conservation projects.

Iberdrola's commitment to the protection and conservation of these areas follows the principles set out in its Biodiversity Policy, through its environmental management systems, action plans and monitoring of habitats restored and/or compensated following the positive conservation management principle.

Spain

The presence of reservoirs in protected spaces is 58 % of the total space occupied by reservoirs. Within biosphere reserves, national parks, Ramsar wetlands and natural parks, these reservoirs take up 0.6 % of the surface area of these protected areas.

The Cofrentes Nuclear Plant is located within the Natura 2000 Network. The protected areas are the SCI: Muela de Cortés and the Caroig, and the SPA: Sierra de Martés - Muela de Cortés.

16 % of our wind farms are located in protected natural areas or Special Protection Areas for Birds.

List of facilities and location in relation to protected areas or areas of high biodiversity value [PDF] External link, opens in new window.

Reservoirs in protected spaces [PDF] External link, opens in new window.

United Kingdom

ScottishPower does not have onshore wind farms in protected areas.

ScottishPower Renewables operates some of its 25 wind farms on the fens; a habitat included in the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan for priority species and in Annex 1 of the European Union habitats directive.

The Lynemouth wind farm in England is also in an area with rich biodiversity, due to its importance as a winter haven for swans and geese.

In Ireland, the Barnesmore wind farm is on the Barnesmore Bog Natural Heritage Site (CNS).

ScottishPower Renewables has committed to restoring 9,225 ha of fens in all wind farms, by implementing Habitat Management Plans (HMP). In addition, more than 2,300 ha of forests are managed in 18 parks, of which 833 ha are native forests.

The East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm is in a special South North Sea Special Conservation Area (SNS SAC). Approximately 200 km2 of the East Anglia One project lie within the southern part of the SNS SAC (winter component) designated to protect porpoises, which accounts for 0.5 % of the total area designated for the SNS SAC. The area was formally designated in 2019 after the construction of East Anglia ONE began in 2018. The export cable corridor, the East Anglia ONE Offshore Wind Farm, crosses the Outer Thames Estuary Special Protected Area (SPA) which supports a winter population of red throat divers, which is sensitive to disturbance and displacement from the boat. The export cable corridor crosses the Bawdsey Cliffs SSSI, which is of great geological interest and has potential for studies of Pleistocene non-glacial environments. The SSSI is by far the largest site for Red Crag and is rich in marine molluscs.

 List of facilities and location in relation to protected areas [PDF] External link, opens in new window.

USA

Only one of the 69 onshore wind farms (1,5 %) is located within a protected area with high biodiversity. This is the Deerfield Wind Project, which covers approximately 32 hectares within the Green Mountain National Forest in Bennington County, Vermont. Deerfield was the first wind project to be authorised and built on National Forest land. The main authorising agency is the National Forest Service.

A total of 481 km of transmission lines (3.5 %) and 2 substations lie within protected areas with high biodiversity. These areas include New York State's Adirondack Park and Forest Reserve, New York State's Catskill Park and Forest Reserve, Letchwork Park, the United Nations' Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve, and Connecticut West Rock State Park.

Avangrid Networks also operates and maintains nine hydroelectric projects, two of which are located within New York State's Adirondack Park.

(1) Designations of the main protected areas:

SPA: Special Protection Area for Birds, according to the EC Birds Directive.

SCI: Site of Community Importance, according to the EC Habitats Directive.

SAC: Special Area of Conservation, according to the EC Habitats Directive.

Ramsar: Wetlands of international importance, according to the Convention signed in Ramsar.

SSSI: Site of special scientific interest (UK designation).

NSA: National scenic areas (UK).

NNR: National nature reserve (UK).

(2) Combined cycle, cogeneration, and coal-fired plants.

Iberdrola identifies endangered species included in the UICN Red List and the national and regional lists for the areas in which it operates through its environmental management systems and/or observation programs.