We apply the 'Natural capital' approach, which we define as the set of nature's assets, both biotic and abiotic, that individually or collectively provide benefits to society. These are known as ecosystem services.

We develop tools, methodologies, and continuously improve our working methods to assess the changes in nature and their potential impacts on society and apply the necessary mitigation, restoration, or compensation measures.

We have our own methodology to quantify negative and positive impacts on biodiversity. This methodology has been updated and has been in use since 2023: We consider this analysis crucial in order to establish a quantitative and qualitative relationship between the impacts on ecosystem services and to generate the knowledge needed to implement mitigation and compensation measures, ultimately achieving a positive biodiversity impact throughout our facilities' lifecycle.

This way, we move toward the desired positive impact.

We apply the mitigation hierarchy —avoid, minimise, restore, and compensate— in biodiversity management throughout the entire lifecycle of each facility, from design to final decommissioning.

Red Eléctrica's facilities are scattered nationwide. They sometimes run through or are located in areas under some form of protection. In fact, around 27 percent of the national territory is protected as part of the 'Red Natura 2000' network.

During the development of facilities, we apply various mitigation measures to eliminate or minimise potential impacts:

1. Conducting specific studies to determine the actual presence of sensitive species in the construction area and the potential impacts they may experience.
2. Designing projects on a case-by-case basis with natural values in mind, with the aim of minimising the impact on vegetation by compacting and elevating transmission towers and adjusting access routes.
3. Signalling and marking areas of interest or specific specimens to avoid potential impacts.
4. Closely monitoring tree cutting and pruning activities to avoid impacting specific specimens and protected vegetation.
5. Translocation of species that consists of transplanting tree specimens affected by the work in other unaffected areas.
6. Manual routing to reduce the need to open up transmission line corridors.
7. Using helicopters or drones to transport and lift materials, as well as routing transmission lines, to minimise or avoid land movements (opening up roads and work camps) and impact on vegetation.
8. Biological rest periods, which involve halting work during reproduction, nesting, and breeding seasons for certain species.
9. Restoring the areas affected by construction work, including geomorphological recovery and land levelling, slope stabilisation, adding topsoil, hydroseeding, and planting species (including protected species).
10. Planting trees to compensate for those removed.
11. Additional biodiversity enhancement measures in the construction area, such as building sediment ponds and filters to prevent watercourse pollution.
12. Creating sensitivity and risk maps that identify sensitive species, habitats, or areas (flight paths).
13. Providing resources and specific training to internal and external personnel for the prevention of forest fires.

We help conserve land and marine biodiversity through specific projects and actions related to the protection of wildlife, flora, and habitats.

We lead, promote, and actively collaborate in the development of projects aimed at biodiversity conservation. Additionally, we work in partnership with environmental organisations at a national, regional, and local level (public administration, research centres, universities, foundations, NGOs, etc.) in the geographical areas where we operate.

We take action on:

• Wildlife, with a special focus on key bird species
• Vegetation, with a special focus on forest fire prevention and the restoration of degraded land and marine forests.
• Biodiversity-rich habitats and ecosystems Only Available in Spanish

We continuously develop and drive improvements through new technologies, working methods, and the promotion of collaboration with external entities such as: Universities, NGOs, and organisations in the area.

1. Protection and conservation of fauna. 
2. Vegetation management through the development of new technologies, tools and innovative solutions in the prevention and fight against forest fires and for the treatment of vegetation
3. Protection, improvement, conservation and creation of habitat through the establishment of a network of corridors or “green and blue infrastructures” through knowledge about the use that species make of our facilities.