FROM STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY: THE CASE OF THE BARRA DOS COQUEIROS THERMAL POWER PLANT

Abstract

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) are fundamental instruments to ensure that development occurs responsibly and sustainably, minimizing negative impacts on the environment. This study aims to analyze the EIA prepared for the Barra dos Coqueiros Thermoelectric Complex, located in the municipality of Barra dos Coqueiros, in the state of Sergipe, Brazil, from the perspective of SEA. For this purpose, qualitative research with an exploratory, bibliographic, and documentary approach was conducted, based on a case study. The study was divided into two stages: in the first, the key elements for conducting an SEA were outlined; in the second, a detailed analysis of the EIA was carried out, followed by a comparison between the EIA guidelines and the key elements proposed in the SEA Best Practices Guide. The results revealed several limitations in the EIA, including the lack of a clear delineation of critical factors for decision-making, the absence of an information system with indicators for systematic evaluation of programs and their future revisions, and the lack of a specific reference framework for the thermoelectric sector. It is concluded that SEA can complement EIA by providing broader guidelines for the planning of large enterprises, such as the Thermoelectric Complex in question. This integration is particularly relevant in the Brazilian context, serving as a basis for future studies related to the expansion of the Complex, while also fostering citizen participation and contributing to more sustainable development.