Restoration and integration of reefs in submarine cable projects

Challenge:

The energy transition requires from development of criticalinfrastructures to transmit and integrate renewable power from generation toconsumption locations. Examples of these critical infrastructures are submarinetransmission power lines that connect isolated regions as Balearic or CanaryIslands.

Redeia and its company Red Electrica is responsible to design, constructand maintain these submarine power lines for the high voltage transmissionsystem in Spain. The design, construction and maintenance sometimes are closeof reefs areas that are habitats of community interest. Works in theses reefsareas are usually avoid, but when works should take place in reefs areas RedElectrica apply the best practices available.

The current market is developing solutions for the integration of marinehabitats into marine infrastructure, although it only works with classic marineinfrastructure such as docks or harbours.

Reef restoration is underdeveloped in Spanish marine habitats, with fewsuccessful projects existing and whose costs complicate their large-scalereplicability. Having restoration techniques that can be replicated on a largescale can be a tool that boosts the resilience of these habitats in the face ofclimate change.

Target:

Redeia wants to develop new techniques to improve the integration ofreefs in their underwater infrastructures in order to get a net loss ofbiodiversity. In this way, Red Eléctrica is working in develop nature-basedsolutions or nature positive solutions to improve the integration of theirsubmarine power line in sea bottom. These solutions seek to be more adaptivefor all types of marine infrastructure, in difference with the currentsolutions.

The develop of these new techniques could, as well, offer a newopportunity of reefs restoration and improve their resilience in front of theclimate change.

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