VDP Srl

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In the context of Terna projects regarding Campania Islands Interconnection with the NTG and the reorganization of Sorrento Peninsula grid, the work dealt with the construction of a 150 kV power cable in alternating current (AC). The power cable consists of a submarine and terrestrial interconnection between the new Capri and the existing Torre Annunziata electrical substations in Naples province.

In particular the new interconnection will include the following infrastructures:

•  Capri 150 kV (MV) substation in the vicinity of the waste disposal area currently under construction in the municipality of Capri (NA);
•  150 kV underground AC transmission line combined with a submarine and terrestrial optical fiber cable;
•  MV underground transmission line in alternating current, designed to connect the new medium voltage section with the main substation of the local distribution grid;

The route of the underground power line cable and the new Capri electrical substation were studied in order to:

•  Reduce as much as possible the cable length and the substation size to affect the lowest portion of territory;
•  Minimize the interference with relevant natural areas and landscapes;
•  Decrease the pressure on the affected properties, evaluating the existing situations taking into account the conditions of the neighboring lands;
•  Avoid, as far as possible, the involvement of already urbanized areas or under development zones;
•  Ensure continuity of service, safety and reliability of the National Transmission Grid;
•  Enable the regular operation and management of the transmission lines;

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS

The process was conducted in cooperation with the Authorities and, since the design stage, allowed the development of solutions able to meet the environmental requirements for sites of nature conservation interest and landscapes.
The design of the works was developed taking into consideration a system of social, environmental and territorial indicators capable of evaluating the project impact in full compliance with the objectives of preserving, protecting and improving environmental and human health quality and the rational utilization of natural resources.

The following environmental issues were covered:

•  Morphology and vegetation analyses;
•  Assessment of the natural environment framework;
•  Study of the settlement system including urban buildings and historical-artistic elements;
•  Infrastructure analysis regarding road and transport systems and port facilities;
•  Landscape Analysis of the Natura 2000 sites affected by the interventions;
•  Visual constraints assessment.

The presence of Natura 2000 sites (SIC and ZPS: IT8030011 sites: Punta Campanella and Capri seabeds and IT8030039 site: eastern coastal cliffs of the island of Capri) made essential the elaboration of a preliminary screening followed by a verification phase concerning the assessment of potential effects the work may have on these sites. Based on the assessments carried out in the previous screening step, it was necessary to conduct an in-depth study on the possible work interactions on Natura 2000 sites.

A preliminary geological study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the work and the geological, geomorphological and hydrogeological features of the area.
The evaluation of the work interactions with the archaeological heritage and historical-artistic elements was performed through bibliographic and archival research and cartographic analysis in order to identify the area geomorphological and toponym features. Medium and low risk zones were determined on the basis of one or more risk factors, for example the presence of the hypothetical road network of the Roman coastal road.