Management of impacts, risks and opportunities
E4-2 – Concepts related to biodiversity and ecosystems
The development of a transition plan for the promotion of biodiversity and ecosystems will be based on a newly developed biodiversity strategy, which will also be the basis for specific actions to achieve the targets. The process will be aligned with the LEAP approach (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare) of the TNFD (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). The strategy will be incorporated into the sustainability statement in good time and within the statutory targets.
E4-3 – Actions and resources related to biodiversity and ecosystems
Individual actions taken in the 2024/25 fiscal year relating to biodiversity and the promotion of ecosystems are presented below.
Promoting biodiversity in the construction of the Ebensee pumped-storage power plant
Impacts on the scale and state of ecosystems, impacts and dependencies on ecosystem services
Action |
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Promoting biodiversity in the construction of the Ebensee |
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Description |
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The construction of the pumped-storage power plant in Ebensee is contributing significantly to a sustainable energy future. In the summer of 2023, a large-scale campaign to collect the impacted animals was organised over a four-month period. Containers were placed along catch fences erected for this purpose to catch the animals. The campaign allowed around 1,300 animals, including over 900 fire salamanders, to be relocated to a new, safe habitat outside the construction site. During the construction work, the fence will temporarily remain in place to protect the animals. In addition, 20 brush piles were created in sunny locations to provide shelter and nesting opportunities, and 20 small water bodies were established in moist areas. These areas will be maintained throughout the construction phase until the end of 2028 and should remain species-appropriate habitats beyond that. |
Expected outcomes |
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The negative impacts on biodiversity are minimised through the measures implemented. Relocation activities and the installation of protective fencing prevent animals from being harmed during construction works. Habitat enhancement measures, such as the creation of brush piles and small water bodies, also play an important role in guiding animals towards protected areas. |
Scope of the measure |
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Own business |
Compensation measure |
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Trough the relocation of living creatures, the disturbance of their habitat caused by construction activities is compensated. |
Incorporating local knowledge and nature-based solutions |
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Energie AG complies with all legal requirements imposed by the authorities, who collaborate with biologists. |
Time horizon |
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2023 – 2028 |
IROs on which the measure is based |
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Habitat degradation caused by the construction and operation of installations |
Implementation progress |
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The measures have already been implemented and will be maintained until the construction work is completed. |
Methodological information on monitoring implementation and effectiveness |
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Monitoring and maintenance of the measures taken |
Establishment of fish bypasses
Impacts on the scale and state of ecosystems, impacts and dependencies on ecosystem services
Action |
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Establishment of fish bypasses |
|---|---|---|
Description |
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Fish bypasses have been built at Energie AG’s run-of-river power plants and pumped-storage power plants in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. Energie AG operates 46 dams, 27 of which are equipped with fish bypasses. Three further fish migration aids will be upgraded to the state of the art by December 2027. This means that these fish bypasses will also be suitable for the largest fish species found here, the huchen. |
Expected outcomes |
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Thanks to fish migration aids, weir systems no longer pose an obstacle to fish and other aquatic creatures. Migration and genetic exchange are thus restored. |
Scope of the measure |
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Own business |
Compensation measure |
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Yes |
Incorporating local knowledge and nature-based solutions |
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Services are provided by appropriate technical offices or civil engineering offices for the planning of fish migration aids. In addition, Energie AG actively manages fish populations through ecological breeding programmes and regular stocking with native species. |
Time horizon |
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until 2027 |
IROs on which the measure is based |
|
Habitat degradation caused by the construction and operation of installations |
Implementation progress |
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In the 2024/25 fiscal year, two new fish migration aids were built at the Timelkam power station and at the Steinbach hydroelectric plant on the Steyr. |
Methodological information on monitoring implementation and effectiveness |
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Inspection of fish migration aids and monitoring of fish passing through these structures |
Protection of birds
Impacts on the scale and state of ecosystems, impacts and dependencies on ecosystem services
Action |
|
Protection of birds |
|---|---|---|
Description |
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Where stork nests are nearby, and in migration areas of the bald ibis, Netz OÖ GmbH has taken specific action to protect them in cooperation with bird protection organisations such as Birdlife. Insulating protective caps on the medium-voltage line insulators are intended to protect animals from entering the circuit when they fly to or from the line. |
Expected outcomes |
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Prevention of (fatal) injury to affected animals |
Scope of the measure |
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Own business |
Compensation measure |
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The bird protection measures are compensatory measures. Overhead power lines have been found to pose a threat to large birds, such as storks and northern bald ibises, as their wingspan means they can easily become entangled in the power lines when they perch on them. |
Incorporating local knowledge and nature-based solutions |
|
To define the type and location of the protective measures, Energie AG collaborated with local grid technicians as well as bird conservation experts from BirdLife and the Waldrappteam Conservation & Research Austria. |
Time horizon |
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Continuous |
IROs on which the measure is based |
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Habitat degradation caused by the construction and operation of installations |
Implementation progress |
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The measures are monitored and implemented annually in the vicinity of stork nests and in the migration area of the northern bald ibis. |
Methodological information on monitoring implementation and effectiveness |
|
Regular inspections, including maintenance of the measures implemented as part of the line inspections carried out by |
Grasslands in substations
Impacts on the scale and state of ecosystems, impacts and dependencies on ecosystem services
Action |
|
Grasslands in substations |
|---|---|---|
Description |
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In two substations belonging to Netz OÖ GmbH (Kronstorf West and Hörsching), particular attention is paid to promoting biodiversity. Specifically, the areas located within the enclosed security zone of the facilities are maintained as grasslands, where around 120 different types of grass and flowers can grow. The grass is mowed only once a year, so that flowers, insects and other small and microscopic creatures have a habitat that is as undisturbed as possible. |
Expected outcomes |
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Promoting biodiversity in plants and insects |
Scope of the measure |
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Own business |
Compensation measure |
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The grasslands in substations are not a compensation measure. |
Incorporating local knowledge and nature-based solutions |
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The maintenance of grasslands in the substation sector is an efficient and effective nature-based method for protecting biodiversity. |
Time horizon |
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Continuous |
IROs on which the measure is based |
|
Habitat degradation caused by the construction and operation of installations. |
Implementation progress |
|
The implementation of further grasslands sites will be investigated. |
Methodological information on monitoring implementation and effectiveness |
|
Regular inspections of the measures implemented and documentation through the awarding of contracts by Netz OÖ GmbH |