Subjective sustainability criteria applied to a renewable energy installation

Abstract

Subjective judgments are integral parts of any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). To promote sustainability, an instrument for recording them should be developed. This paper uses the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix to evaluate a Civil Engineering work. It analyses and presents in a structured, friendly and transparent environment the numerous parameters and alternatives of an EIA. It considers all 4 components of sustainability: physical / chemical, biological / ecological, social / cultural, economic / operational. These are then evaluated using qualitative criteria common to all impact considerations. This Matrix was applied to the EIA of the future Vale de Madeira Hydroelectric Installation that will be situated on the River Côa of the Douro River Basin in the Municipalities of Pinhel and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, North of Portugal. It will be shown that such a project will be positive economically but negative otherwise.