Changes to biodiversity and landscape
By generating renewable energy, Repower makes a relevant long-term contribution to protecting biodiversity and the landscape, although the company’s installations and their operation also impact them.
Impacts
Repower believes it has a responsibility to guarantee its customers an uninterrupted energy supply as far as possible while minimising the negative impact on biodiversity and the landscape. However, hydropower plants, wind power and solar power installations, and energy distribution infrastructure also affect animal and plant habitats and the landscape. Energy generation and distribution equipment can be perceived as foreign bodies in the landscape and impair the sense of wellbeing and being in nature. These facilities also impact animal and plant habitats. For example, wind farms can endanger birds and bats, hydropower plants can hinder fish migration and power lines can pose a danger to birds with a large wingspan.
Risks
Changes to the landscape and habitats caused by the expansion of renewable energy can be perceived negatively by local residents and lead to reputational risks for Repower. The environmental impact of new energy generation and energy distribution facilities is assessed as part of the approval process. In the event of potentially adverse effects on habitats, approvals may be delayed, projects may need to be adjusted or applications may be rejected altogether.
Risks related to a failure to consider the landscape adequately are a component of the Repower Group’s risk and control assessment (see Introduction).
Guidelines and due diligence
Repower Switzerland has an environmental management system certified in accordance with ISO 14001 in place. The integrated management system committee is responsible for defining and achieving the relevant targets. SET S.p.A., the operator of Teverola gas-fired combined cycle power plant, also has an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system and is registered with the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). At the beginning of each three-year cycle, the management of the Teverola plant formulates an environmental programme (see Water use).
Measures
The biodiversity and landscape aspects of new power plants and energy distribution infrastructure, as well as the renovation of these assets, are analysed in an environmental impact assessment. In addition, target states are defined and corresponding measures are determined.
The continuous renewal of the installations means that the impact can be continuously reduced. The power grid is professionally maintained and, where possible and required, made less susceptible to environmental influences by running cables underground. In 2024, the landscape in the canton of Graubünden was enhanced with the removal by Repower of 247 wooden poles and 15 concrete, lattice and steel pylons.
Some wind farms in Italy are monitored for their impact on birds to check whether the turbines cause changes in the local fauna. The fish fauna is monitored at many hydropower plants.
The last pylon in Laax is taken down
There are no more overhead high-voltage lines in Laax. The region is now supplied by a high-performance underground line. A total of 20 electricity pylons, 270 tonnes of concrete and 78 tonnes of steel and aluminium were dismantled during the removal of the 3.6-kilometre overhead line through Laax. This has enhanced the landscape.
Stakeholder engagement
When planning new projects or renovations, infrastructure, Repower Switzerland involves the relevant stakeholders at an early stage. It is important for Repower that local interests are also represented. For the Chlus project, for example, a support group was set up with representatives from various stakeholder groups, such as environmental protection organisations, associations and authorities. The support group is regularly informed about planned measures and can bring its concerns directly to the project managers. These concerns are examined and acted upon if possible.
In the case of new power plants and facilities, the environmental impact assessment is carried out with the involvement of various specialists and the environmental organisations.
The final measures are determined by the authorities. Teverola combined-cycle gas turbine power plant publishes an updated environmental statement every year (see Water use).