Source: European Parliament
The Commission does not possess detailed information about the project referred to by the Honourable Member, and whether it could have significant effects for the Natura 2000 site[1] or the energy system of Tenerife.
Therefore, the Commission is not in a position to express its views on the compatibility of the project with the provisions under the Habitats Directive[2] or assess its potential impacts on the island’s energy sustainability.
Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive determines that any plan or project likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site must be subject to an appropriate assessment of its implications for the site concerned. Such plan or project can only be approved if it will not adversely affect the integrity of the site.
Should a project have negative implications for the site, it can only be carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest and in the absence of alternative solutions, and provided that the Member State takes all compensatory measures necessary to protect the overall coherence of the network, in accordance with Article 6(4) of the directive.
The responsibility for applying these provisions lies with the Spanish public authorities. In order to assist them in this task, the Commission has issued guidance documents supporting those involved in managing Natura 2000 sites[3] and has published studies on addressing conflicts and promoting benefits in the Natura 2000 network[4].
- [1] ES7020017: https://www.idecanarias.es/resources/ZEC/AnexoI/ES7020017_I.pdf
- [2] Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
- [3] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/natura-2000/managing-and-protecting-natura-2000-sites_en
- [4] https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/3f466d71-92a7-49eb-9c63-6cb0fadf29dc/library/642f6372-437e-434f-b041-000f24e8d9e0/details?download=true