- E-distribución, the company’s power distribution subsidiary, is implementing preventive and corrective measures to reduce the risk of bird electrocution and collision with power lines.
- Several projects are underway to install acoustic deterrents that prevent birds from approaching certain infrastructures, as well as new prototypes designed to discourage storks from nesting on towers. Thus, the company is contributing to a reduced risk of incidents.
Last year, Endesa’s distribution subsidiary, e-distribución, upgraded or insulated nearly 5,600 transmission towers to minimise the risk of bird electrocution. These bird protection efforts, carried out in Andalusia, Extremadura, Catalonia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands - regions where the company manages its distribution grid - form part of Endesa’s commitment to environmental protection and conservation. They include both preventive and corrective measures.
On the one hand, new power line routes are designed in compliance with regulations and bird flight corridors. They incorporate components and designs that reduce the grid’s impact on local wildlife while minimising the risk of collision and electrocution.
On the other hand, an annual analysis is conducted to identify priority lines requiring upgrades, based on guidelines set by each autonomous community. Work is prioritised according to technical criteria focused on species conservation, ensuring urgent action on structures posing the greatest risk to birdlife.
These adaptations include the installation of bird flight diverters on power lines to make them more visible, allowing birds to alter their flight path and avoid collisions. The installations are carried out using drones or by specialised live-line technicians, ensuring that power supply is not interrupted while the work is being done.
To mitigate the risk of electrocution when birds perch on transmission towers, these structures are modified to maintain a safe distance between the birds and energised components. This also prevents birds from coming into contact with elements that have different electrical potentials, such as towers and wires. Cable insulation and protective measures on high- and medium-voltage towers are among the actions being implemented to reduce electrocution risks across e-distribución’s 188,000-kilometre overhead grid.
Use of new technologies
These initiatives are further enhanced by the use of new technologies aimed at protecting biodiversity. For example, Endesa has implemented a system combining 4K cameras, loudspeakers, AI, and deep learning at its Rocío substation in Doñana. The system detects birds within a 600-metre radius, activating acoustic deterrents to prevent them from approaching the electrical infrastructure and a potential collision. At the same time, it collects data on flight patterns, identifies species, and studies the impact of climate change on migratory routes.
New models have also been developed to prevent storks from nesting on transmission towers and thus avoid electrocution. One such solution is a triangular fibreglass structure that covers the top of transmission towers, which has been installed on Endesa’s grid in Catalonia since 2023.
Biodiversity protection
Direct interventions on the power grid are complemented by initiatives under Endesa’s biodiversity plan aimed at protecting and restoring populations of protected bird species.
These include the conservation project for the osprey in Cádiz and Huelva, as well as the ‘Life Eurokite’ project for the conservation of the red kite in Europe, currently underway in Andalusia.
A highlight is the first phase of a project to adapt anti-predator structures on power line supports located within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park (Huelva). These structures also serve as shelters for bats and small raptors, which can nest in them.
In the past year, two significant actions were also carried out in Catalonia: the marking of 2,400 metres of the Arties line in the Aran Valley (as part of the 2020 project to protect the capercaillie in the Pyrenees) and the strengthening of Endesa’s commitment to the European Roller conservation project through the installation of nest boxes. This initiative, originally focused on the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, has now expanded to the Osona region.
Collaboration with regional governments
Adaptation of the grid to protect birdlife is being carried out in collaboration with the autonomous communities in which e-distribución operates. This way, it allows for the coordinated planning and implementation of priority line and transmission tower upgrades with local authorities.
In Andalusia, the company’s agreement with the Regional Ministry for Sustainability, Environment, and the Blue Economy has been extended for four years, until the end of 2027.
In Aragon, the agreement signed with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Environment has helped promote initiatives aimed at reducing or eliminating bird collision and electrocution risks. Endesa has already carried out four projects funded through the NextGenerationEU programme.
In the Balearic Islands, a new collaboration agreement was signed in October of last year with the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Territory of its regional government. Additionally, e-distribución works closely with the Species Protection Service of the Balearic Government and various conservation organisations to prioritise transmission tower retrofits and support the recovery of different raptor species on the islands.
In the Canary Islands, the number of upgraded structures was increased last year under the agreement with the Regional Ministry for Territorial Policy, Sustainability, and Security. Several works were also carried out on medium-voltage power lines to install diverters that reduce bird collisions.
In Catalonia, bird protection measures have been implemented under the collaboration agreement signed with the Generalitat in 2020. Since 2013, there has been close cooperation with the Catalan Rural Corps to identify transmission towers posing a risk to birds. This partnership was further strengthened last year with the third year of the ‘Birdlife and Power Lines’ technical workshop held in Lleida.
About Endesa
Endesa is the leading electric company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also ranked as the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an integrated business model spanning electricity generation, distribution, and retail. Furthermore, the company offers value-added services focused on the electrification of energy use for households, businesses, and public administrations. Endesa is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and corporate social responsibility. In the latter area, it also works through the Endesa Foundation. Our team comprises around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel Group, the largest European utility by ordinary EBITDA [1].
[1] Enel’s leadership in the different categories is defined by comparison with competitors’ FY2023 data. Fully state-owned operators are not included.