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Workers carrying out work on an electricity tower. They are installing elements to protect birds
In Osona, one of the regions with the highest number of priority actions and where the plan was presented, work is expected to be carried out on 345 infrastructures during this year.
The company works closely with the Government of Catalonia, which defines which lines need to be adapted and prioritises actions, especially in environmentally sensitive areas.
Endesa guarantees that any new structure installed in the territory is specifically designed to minimise risks for birds.
Recognising the need to invest in improving the grid is key to moving towards safer infrastructure that is more respectful of biodiversity.
Endesa, through its grid subsidiary e-distribución, plans to adapt nearly 1,500 structures across its electricity network in Catalonia during 2026 with the aim of making them safer for birdlife. The plan, which is already underway and involves adapting four structures per day, was presented today in Osona (Manlleu), a region that serves as a passage area for migratory species and is considered a priority area. It is the territory with the largest deployment planned this year, with up to 345 interventions expected, which will help minimise the risk of electrocution and collision for birds and, therefore, contribute to their conservation.
The event had a strong practical and informative focus and provided the opportunity to see specialised teams working on site to adapt two electricity structures on a section of the 25 kV medium-voltage line that starts in Manlleu and supplies municipalities such as Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà, Torelló, Sant Quirze de Besora and Montesquiu. These works were carried out by specialised live-line technicians, meaning the line was not disconnected at any point during the work, so customers dependent on it did not experience any interruption to the service. In this regard, the action also improves the quality and continuity of electricity supply, as an accident involving a bird and electrical infrastructure can also lead to service interruptions.
During the visit, the different elements commonly installed on the network to protect birdlife were also presented –such as one-metre polymeric insulators, coverings, or protection devices to prevent accidental contact between birds and live components– and the criteria used to determine the most appropriate solution in each case were explained.
The event included a strong institutional presence, with the participation of Francesc Alemany, director of e-distribución at Endesa in Catalonia; César Calabrés, deputy inspector and head of the Protected Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing Department of the Rural Agents; and Ricard Casanovas, head of the Wildlife and Flora Service of the Directorate General for Environmental Policies and Natural Heritage of the Government of Catalonia. They were also accompanied by members of the University of Barcelona and the SEO/BirdLife technical team.
Their participation highlighted the central role of collaboration between companies and public administrations in this area. Birdlife protection is based on a shared working model in which environmental authorities establish prioritisation criteria, identify the most sensitive areas and participate in monitoring the actions carried out. This coordination allows interventions to be carried out more precisely where risks are highest and ensures that actions respond to genuine conservation needs.
A sustained strategy with real impact on the territory
The 2026 plan is part of an established line of action that will have enabled the adaptation of around 3,900 structures in Catalonia over five years (2022-2026).
This working model, led by the Government of Catalonia, is based on data analysis and the concentration of actions in regions considered priorities, such as Osona, Cerdanya, Montsià, Baix Ebre, Segrià and Alt Penedès, to ensure an effective environmental impact. The actions are carried out following a technical priority order based on species conservation criteria, ensuring the urgent adaptation of those structures that may have the greatest impact on birdlife. Each case is also studied to determine which elements and modifications are most suitable for minimising interactions with the environment.
The Next Generation EU funds provided a boost and an opportunity to finance projects aimed at adapting structures and protecting birdlife. In this regard, they enabled the company to increase the volume of actions and accelerate the implementation of measures.
One of the moments during the adaptation of six structures in the Pla de Bages area, within the municipality of Santpedor
How are the transmission towers adapted?
The actions shown in Manlleu are part of a set of technical solutions aimed at eliminating risk points for birds.
In general, adaptation work is based on three main areas, whether to prevent bird electrocution or collisions: the modification of the tower head, the adjustment and redistribution of existing equipment, or the installation of protective elements, anti-collision devices –spirals and bird flight diverters– or anti-perching control systems. In this way, the metal structure can be redesigned, protective covers can be installed on clamps or connection jumpers, silicone covers can be added, cables and conductive elements can be coated, longer polymeric insulators can be installed to increase safety distances between cables and support areas, disconnectors can be removed or, in some cases, elements known as bird flight diverters can be incorporated. These consist of bird-shaped markers that prevent their approach, retro-reflectors (rotating and reflective devices), and anti-collision elements on high-voltage lines.
The company is also continuing to replace a significant part of the low-voltage network that runs through forested areas, which also helps promote coexistence between infrastructure and ecosystems and protect the species that live in or pass through these spaces. The action involves replacing conventional overhead lines with a new section of bundled cable. This type of cabling significantly reduces the size and physical footprint of the line, as the three phases remain joined together. In addition to being much better integrated into the natural environment, this new design represents a clear anti-collision measure because it enhances the visual presence of the cable, meaning it no longer poses a risk to birdlife wherever it is installed.
The new grid is designed from the outset to protect birdlife
These actions are part of a broader change in approach: all new transmission towers built by Endesa’s grid subsidiary, e-distribución, now incorporate specific criteria to minimise risks to birdlife from the very beginning. At the start of the year, the company publicly committed to the Government and conservation organisations that any new structure installed on the grid would be designed to minimise these risks as much as possible.
In this context, the company highlights that these advances require regulatory support to make decisive and effective progress in bird protection. Therefore, it is essential that the new regulatory framework financially incentivises and prioritises grid adaptation measures to prevent risks to birds, which will help accelerate the energy transition and ensure biodiversity protection.
Biodiversity protection
Beyond actions on the electricity grid, Endesa has been involved for years in various biodiversity conservation initiatives with a direct impact on the territory. Among them is the project carried out last year in the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, where 42 towers were adapted to protect the northern bald ibis.
At the same time, the company promotes other projects in Catalonia such as Endesabats, aimed at improving knowledge of bats in energy environments; the maintenance of feeding points to support species such as the cinereous vulture and other large birds of prey; the Coracias project, focused on the recovery of the European roller through the installation of nest boxes; and initiatives to encourage the presence of the lesser kestrel in Girona. This set of actions reinforces a comprehensive approach that combines infrastructure improvements with specific conservation measures to protect species and habitats.
About Endesa
Endesa is the leading electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. It is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an integrated business model spanning electricity generation, distribution, and supply. 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 SDGs and corporate social responsibility. In this area, it also operates through the Endesa Foundation. Our team comprises around 9,000 employees. Endesa is part of Enel.