Soil
The implementation and operation of power generation, transmission and distribution projects require soil changes to be made for the execution of foundations, earthworks, grounding, opening of accesses, and the construction and maintenance of slopes and containments, for example.
The soil movement required for the execution of these activities requires care and techniques, especially in areas of high geo-environmental vulnerability, which are more susceptible to erosive processes and mass movements.
For this reason, aiming to protect, recover and promote the sustainable use of the soil, mitigating impacts in its undertakings, Copel develops a series of actions such as the use of low impact techniques in the foundations of metallic structures, as for example helical auger drilling; the implementation of structures in places with lower declivity; land leveling projects that optimize the ratio of cut and fill volumes; control and monitoring programs for areas susceptible to erosive processes, and, whenever necessary, the recovery of degraded areas.
Erosive Processes
Copel monitors areas susceptible to erosive processes in its ventures, with a focus on protecting the soil and the water environment, seeking to avoid impacts related to the silting up of rivers and reservoirs around its projects, and also seeking to prevent environmental and land impacts in third-party areas, close to the areas under Copel’s responsibility.
For this purpose, periodic inspections are carried out in substations, high voltage transmission and distribution lines and throughout the reservoir area, identifying and recording the points most susceptible to the emergence of erosive processes, and containment actions being carried out whenever necessary. All actions are developed with a focus on fully complying with legal requirements and conditions for the environmental licensing of the Company’s projects.
Recovery of Degraded Areas
Due to different factors related to natural and anthropic processes, some areas may show a reduction in their capacity for natural regeneration, so that to return to a situation closer to its original characteristics, human intervention is necessary to promote its recovery.
When installing new ventures, especially as a result of vegetation removal, and also in the operation of the ventures, Copel constantly monitors the areas, which makes it possible to identify in advance the places most susceptible to possible degradation and to act in advance if they arise.
Whenever necessary, measures are taken to control and recover the areas, avoiding or minimizing degradation. For this, different activities are carried out, such as containment or reconformation of the soil, planting with native species of flora and constant and periodic monitoring of the areas.
Contamination
The operational activities of the Company involve the use of dangerous products, being used in a more significant manner: the mineral oil, used as isolating medium in electrical equipment, aqueous solution and sulfuric acid, electrolyte of used batteries used in substations and in vehicles.
Aiming to avoid the contamination of soils and superficial and subterraneous waters, Copel has Emergency Action Plans – PAE to potential leaks of this products, and rely on a team capable of realize the first service. In order to provide full assistance in emergencies, or for situations in which the teams themselves are unable to act, the Company has a contract with a society that is ready to respond to environmental emergencies.
Whenever the possibility of contamination of soil and water by dangerous products is identified, the Company carries out the process of assessing contaminated areas. When contamination is confirmed, the area is monitored and, if necessary, its remediation.
Detailed information on eventual occurrences can be consulted in the Social-Environmental Reports.
