Terna pursues the most appropriate solutions for guaranteeing the transmission service at the best reliability, cost and environmentally sustainable conditions.
This means focus on the environment both in managing the existing lines and in planning and building new ones.
For managing already existing lines and plants Terna has identified objectives and management tools for limiting environmental impact on the basis of a careful analysis of the interaction of its activities with the environment.
In order to protect the environment, respecting regulations is an essential condition together with reducing the environmental impact and improving environmental performance. For this purpose, Terna has developed an Environmental Management System that was awarded the Iso 14001 certification at the end of 2007.
With regard to building new plants, Terna gives priority to searching for solutions that are coordinated with the territory’s institutions such as modalities for considering and examining the environmental aspects of its projects.
In building new electricity lines, Terna involves its stakeholders that are fundamental with respect to the territory by using since 2002 the SEA procedure (Strategic Environmental Assessment) to share with the Ministries, Regions and Local Administrations the electricity system’s development needs. In finding joint solutions, Terna modifies -as long as this does not conflict with system security and efficiency constraints- some project features ( e.g. using lower visual impact pylons), identifies alternative courses taking into account the territory’s characteristics, introduces more restrictive regulations than those envisaged by the law (for example, in terms of minimum distance between lines and homes) and considers the feasibility of environmental mitigations, such as measures to protect vegetation biodiversity.
Terna also carries out grid rationalization activity: complex projects that allow removing old lines to be replaced with new ones. Among the lines to be removed, priority is given to those located in urban areas where the presence of power lines is a critical issue. At the end of 2007, Terna presented an important rationalization plan: ten project through which over 1,200 km of old lines will be pulled down and replaced with 450 km of new high-tech power lines with innovative pylons and underground cables.
The timely implementation of development projects also implies effects on the environment: first of all, a more efficient grid implies reducing grid losses, consequently, lower production and C02 emissions given the demand for final consumption of electricity. Furthermore, activity aimed at strengthening the grid allows connecting production plants from renewable sources to the grid without any problems.