2023
Spain
Red Eléctrica, the Spanish Transmission System Operator, used innovative technology to design a submarine cable protection system that allowed the restoration of a natural reef habitat between the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The concrete blocks used to protect the subsea cable along a rock trench section were designed by incorporating ECOncrete’s bio-enhancing concrete technology. First results are already overwhelmingly positive and offer strong possibilities to transfer this technology and approach to other contexts in Europe’ seas.
Highlights
01
Design of a nature-positive cable protection solution with ECOncrete’s innovative technology, which provides a nature-friendly alternative over traditional solutions.
02
Blueprint for the construction of nature-positive cable protection, bridging sustainability and grid development by providing biodiversity recovery opportunities while meeting engineering requirements.
03
Reduction of potential impacts from electricity infrastructure on local marine ecosystems while showcasing possibilities to recover nature reef habitats.
Main Information
With this practice, Red Eléctrica introduces a new and innovative nature-positive cable protection system which facilitates renewable integration by enabling needed offshore infrastructure to become nature-positive. Traditional cable protection measures have a significant impact and do not encourage marine life to recolonise the structures.
Ten months after installing ECOncrete’s bio-enhancing concrete blocks, many species cover them, allowing the structures to blend back into the natural reef habitat and draw fish and crustaceans to the area. Environmental monitoring every six months will allow the Red Eléctrica to analyse how the concrete blocks mimic the local marine environment and plans to further study and improve the practice and apply it to other contexts are already planned.
other practices
