Analysis and assessment of impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities related to nature in electricity transmission

The main methodology employed is based on the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial

Disclosures) framework, a global initiative that guides companies in identifying, assessing, and disclosing their nature-related impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities. The analysis showed that electricity transmission operations are the most relevant activity in terms of interaction with nature, and therefore the TNFD methodology is applied primarily to them.

Within TNFD, the LEAP process has been used, structured into four phases: Locate, Evaluate,

Assess, and Prepare. In the ‘Locate’ phase, all electricity transmission facilities in Spain are identified and mapped, differentiating technology types among transmission assets and defining areas of occupation and influence. A geospatial analysis is carried out on these zones using sources such as ESA World Cover, the IUCN Red List, and international databases (WDPA,

KBA), and data are cross-referenced with environmental vectors to determine the ecological sensitivity of the territories. Facilities are classified into four sensitivity levels, allowing prioritisation of those located in ecologically significant areas.

In the ‘Evaluate’ phase, nature-related impacts and dependencies are identified in relation to the different electricity transmission technologies. Impacts are analysed based on the drivers of biodiversity loss defined by IPBES, and dependencies are linked to ecosystem services according to the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA-EA). All life cycle phases of the facilities are considered, from construction to maintenance and operation. The most significant impacts during construction are associated with land-use change and habitat loss, while during maintenance, bird collisions and accidental fire generation stand out.

The ‘Assess’ phase draws on the corporate integrated risk management system and recognised methodologies for identifying, prioritising, and economically quantifying risks arising from climate change. Physical risks (extreme winds, fires) and transitional risks (reputation, tightening of legal policies) are assessed, as well as opportunities for environmental and reputational improvement. Future scenarios are analysed to evaluate the resilience of the business strategy to potential regulatory and environmental changes.

Finally, in the ‘Prepare’ phase, the results obtained enable the establishment of strategy and action plans for nature across all facilities, prioritising the conservation and restoration of habitats and vulnerable species. The main results show that 18% of overhead lines, 4% of underground lines, 52% of submarine lines, and 6% of substations in Spain are in highly sensitive areas. However, a minimal and variable fraction, ranging between 2% and 0.3%, depending on the type of electrical infrastructure, corresponds to priority sites for conservation and restoration.