Environment and Biodiversity

We have published guidelines for the industry to assess and mitigate impacts of transmission projects on ecology and cultural heritage. 

We have also published studies on how the electricity grid interacts with the natural and human environment. 

The Appropriate Assessment (AA) process is required under the EU Habitats Directive. Appropriate Assessment assesses the potential adverse effects of a plan or project. They make sure nature conservation sites are protected from development. AA Screening determines if Appropriate Assessment is required.

EirGrid is the decision-making body for AA Screening for projects which do not require planning permission. Our ecological experts assess the nature, scale and duration of effects from all projects on European sites.

Our assessment includes construction and operation stages of a project. It also considers temporary work, such as construction compounds and machinery access routes. We consider both:

EirGrid’s AA Screening of a project has two outcomes: 

AA Required

If AA is required, projects which don't require planning permission lose their exempted status. In this case, we say a project has been ‘screened in’ for AA. Under this scenario, we seek planning permission for the project from the relevant planning authority. 

AA Not Required

If AA is not required, we document the assessment findings and publish an AA Screening determination. See the AA screening determinations for projects not requiring planning permission. 

Our projects vary greatly, from simple repairs to new infrastructure. We screen all projects for Appropriate Assessment, regardless of scale. For projects which require planning permission, we identify and mitigate environmental impacts to:

This is reported in either 'Planning and Environmental Considerations Reports' (PECR) or 'Environmental Impact Assessment Reports' (EIAR). 

Planning and Environmental Considerations Reports (PECR)

PECRs give an overview of the main planning and environmental considerations for a project. These reports are submitted as part of planning applications to local authorities. Find all project-specific environmental reports on the relevant planning authority websites. 

Depending on legal requirements, we produce EIARs for certain new infrastructure projects.

An Bord Pleanála decides if certain projects are of strategic national importance. 

For these projects, we have a unique project website for planning documentation. 

Every five years, our grid plans policies go through Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA). At the same time, we carry out Appropriate Assessment. We integrate feedback from state and other agencies and the public when we scope the SEA, on the draft plan and on SEA reporting. 

Every year, we produce Transmission Development Plans (TDP) to record changes to the five-year plan. We consult our regulator CRU on every TDP. The CRU then publishes the draft plan for public consultation on their website. We also review these TDPs for Strategic Environmental Effects.

In 2024, we published the SEA of our Grid Implementation Plan (IP) 2023-2028. This plan sets out the policies and objectives required to sustainably deliver onshore and offshore  grid and interconnector development. 

This development is essential to achieve the Government's 2030 target of 80% renewable energy 

 In summary the stages, culminating in adoption of the IP, following SEA were:

Revision of SEA Scoping report (linked below) following consultation  - February 2023

The next step will be to publish the SEA monitoring results of Years 1  (2023) and 2 (2024) of the plan  

If you have any comments or questions on EirGrid's SEA process, please address them to statutorynotifications@eirgrid.com, or in writing to 

EirGrid Planning and Environmental Unit (Public Engagement, Chief Infrastructure Office)
EirGrid plc 
The Oval 
160 Shelbourne Road 
Ballsbridge 
Dublin 4 
D04 FW28

Deriving from the Grid Implementation Plan 2023-2028, and consistent with the provisions of the SEA, EirGrid is publishing a suite of regional plans (to be known as Strategic Framework documents) for the three regions of Ireland – the Northern & Western, Eastern & Midland, and Southern regions. 

These plans allow for a greater focus on grid infrastructure development at a regional level, and EirGrid’s approach to development. 

These are intended to provide information at a regional level to statutory stakeholders and the general public.

Northern and Western Regional Plan