AQUIND welcomes the opinion of the IGEDD (Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion) in France in respect of AQUIND’s application for Environmental Authorisation currently being examined by the Seine Maritime Prefecture.

The opinion highlights the clarity and completeness of the submitted application. It recognises the seriousness of the work carried out and the rigour with which environmental issues were taken into account in the choice of route.

It confirms the sound assessment of the environmental issues identified and the project’s potential impacts, particularly on marine and aquatic environments, wetlands, noise pollution, the landscape and the use of agricultural land. The application is supported by impact studies for the terrestrial and marine components, and the application has been regularly updated to incorporate feedback from the public consultation and local authorities.

The main recommendations focus on the need to continue to take proper account of environmental issues when finalising the final technical choices.

AQUIND, which has given priority to technical solutions that minimise environmental impacts, while specifying the impacts and measures for the construction and operation phases, is committed to continuing the project on this basis.

This is an encouraging opinion and good news for the rest of the project.

This IGEDD opinion will be included in the documents available during the public enquiry.

For more information, please consult the detailed opinion of the Environmental Authority.

For more information on the Aquind France-England electricity interconnection project: www.aquind.fr