Analysis of environmental impact assessment processes in photovoltaic power plants in Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Electricity generation by photovoltaic systems has been growing exponentially all over the world. The implementation of this type of activity requires the preparation of several studies, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Therefore, it is imperative to improve this tool, as it is the main instrument in ensuring the promotion of sustainable development in the segment. Thus, this work aims to identify the beneficial and adverse impacts arising from the generation of photovoltaic energy, based on the temporal organization of environmental impact assessments, prepared in the Brazilian Northeast, in the period 2012 to 2019. the documentary analysis of 41 Environmental Impact Studies, allowing the identification of 3,381 impacts, subdivided into the planning, implementation, operation and deactivation phases of the projects. It was found that 75% of the impacts are expected to occur during the implementation of the projects. When analyzing the environmental compartments, it is noticed that 82% and 76.5% of the impacts incident on biotic and abiotic environments, respectively, are negative. In the socioeconomic environment, 72.2% are positive. The historical quantification of environmental impacts can be used to assess the benefit of the activity in cities and regions, and to score the most relevant impacts. It was also possible to identify that some impacts referenced in the international literature are not foreseen in environmental impact assessments in Brazil, a fact that can compromise decision-making by the government.