Current Strategic Environmental Assessment in the electrical industry

This paper presents the of state of art about methodologies for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process applied to long-term planning of the electricity transmission, particularly in regard to the existence of gains for the sustainability of the developed proposals. It also shows the origin, concepts and development of SEA, its applications and impact. The analysis to the international experience in implementing the SEA illustrates its potential role for planning tools developments in this sector. The information is supported on a bibliographic research, case application and lessons learned by companies' experiences in the electricity sector, is summarized in this work. This work highlights the SEA Development Plan and Investment of Transmission (2009-2014), carried out by the transmission concessionaire Portuguese Rede Eléctrica Nacional (REN), currently being considered by the General Directorate for Energy and Geology.