strategic environmental assessment

1. Strategic environmental assessment for
energy production w.r.t Belgian
Transmission
A study by Stephen Jay, Elsevier Journal
Published in 2010
Presented by: Muhammad Ali Raja
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2. Contents
• Definition of SEA
• Key steps of SEA adopted in Belgian transmission
system
• Challenges and benefits for SEA
• Conclusion
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3. Introduction
• Strategic environmental assessment is a framework which aims to
integrate environmental considerations, sustainability into decision
making process. A sound SEA must consist of decision making as an
end point
• It has been noted that the application of SEA in energy sector is still
needs more attention and its scope is still very limited despite of
having a great potential in it, in projects such as planning of the project
to planning of the entire energy system.
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4. Consultancy
• This study emphasizes on the application of SEA in regard to Belgium
transmission system. All the adverse impacts and difficulties have been
identified, discussed and appropriate solutions have been devised in
this context.
• For the collection of baseline data environmental authorities, the
public and as well as the government was involved for consultancy.
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5. Key steps of SEA of Transmission system
Belgium
• Belgium transmission system is a project of Elia online, Elia online is a
privately owned Belgium based company. Under the rules and
regulations of Belgian law it was an obligation on Elia to devise a
futuristic plan for sustainability plan for sustainability of the project for
at least forthcoming 10 year period (however plan was to be updated
after every 3rd year).
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6. Continued
• SEA process began in 2007, covering the period until 2018.
• The main requirements of Belgium’s SEA law are equivalent to EU
directive. i.e. preparing a report on significant impacts, plan or
program, consultation with environmental authorities and public and
finalizing the document etc.
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7. Scoping
• The first step in SEA for Elia development plan is scoping,
significance of scoping is huge as it sets up the whole SEA process and
decision making upon which complete plan is devised
• Key issues in scoping are, determination of the impacts of strategic
actions in the best possible manner, in context to high voltage
electricity transmission certain sea objectives were formulated
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8. Impacts
• In this step all the possible impacts were considered and recognized
from the proposed activity. There were direct, indirect, noise, local and
temporary impacts. All these constraint were resolved on the basis of 3
pillar model of sustainability.
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10. Objectives and indicators
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11. Alternatives
• The proposed alternatives were examined which were considered in the SEA
and alternatives were finalized based upon options which were identified in
previous development plan. There were short term and long term
alternatives.
• However, delay in the preparation of the development plan has prevented
the detailed elaboration of these alternatives
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12. Proposed alternatives
• Research and development of new and renewable technologies. New
conventional coal, single and combined cycle natural gas, hydro and wind
facilities would probably be built.
• An increased focus on nuclear electricity production.
• An increased focus on renewables
• Other traditional means of production. This could occur if climate change
policy were to be adopted that restricts or places heavy penalties on carbon
emissions
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13. Environmental Report
• Environmental report was formulated by consultation with environmental
authorities and the public, and document was finalized.
• The Belgian legislation introduces an independent advisory committee which
comment on the scope and contents of SEA reports.
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14. Challenges and opportunities of SEA of
Energy strategies
• Investment in SEA is increasing steadily. However, SEA related method can
have a notable improvement in energy sector.
• As the suggested authorized practice is very slow to develop.
• Absence of regulatory pressure to practice SEA in private sector.
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15. Benefits/opportunities for SEA
• SEA improves the overall environment and every organization shall see it as
a moral obligation as a social responsibility.
• SEA should also be implemented on the structural changes that are occurred
within the organizations as benefits outweigh its cost.
• SEA is applied on the wider strategies and also provides a platform for
debate on environmental assessment itself.
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16. Conclusions
• SEA must be made mandatory for all energy related developmental strategies
and must be located within organizational units.
• SEA as part of the preparation of energy strategies must be encouraged.
• SEA needs to be located and owned within organizational units.
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17. References
• Jay, S. (2010). Strategic environmental assessment for energy
production. Energy Policy, 38(7), 3489-3497.
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14615517.2012.746836
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