In the course of planning Tarchon, comprehensive environmental assessments are being carried out in order to record potential impacts of the project on nature and the environment at an early stage and to develop suitable avoidance, mitigation, or compensation measures.

The investigations take place along the entire planned project route. In particular, the location of the converter station, the complete onshore route corridor, and the intended landing point are systematically examined for potential environmental impacts.

Due to the differing ecological conditions, site-specific investigations are carried out in order to assess the respective local circumstances and local interests in a differentiated way and to incorporate them specifically into further planning.

The surveys are conducted in accordance with the applicable species-specific survey periods. Surveys commenced in October 2024 and will continue through winter 2026 to ensure that the full applicable survey windows are met.

In Germany, the environmental investigations are currently in the planning phase. The surveys along the land route as well as in the territorial sea and in the EEZ are planned for 2026 and will be conducted in accordance with the applicable species-specific survey periods. Before the investigations begin, the public will be informed in order to ensure transparency about the scope, procedure, and objectives of the planned surveys.

For the detailed planning of the cable route in the marine area, Tarchon is carrying out comprehensive investigations of the marine environment. The goal is to systematically record the nature of the seabed as well as other relevant environmental and site factors, to enable a route alignment that is environmentally acceptable and as technically suitable as practicably possible. The results of these surveys form the basis for the detailed route planning.