This is how we protect biodiversity and birdlife around our power grids

In addition to supplying electricity to homes and businesses, developing innovative initiatives for the electricity grid, and working to ensure people's safety, at e-distribución, our electricity distribution subsidiary, we strive to contribute to the care and preservation of the natural environment.

This commitment by e-distribución to preserving the environment and biodiversity has been the driving force behind various biodiversity programmes that we have promoted since 2003. In these programmes, the protection of birdlife has always played a leading role. So much so that there are currently different areas of action in the field of bird protection.

Protection and signage devices

Within the standardisation of devices for the protection of different birds, e-distribución has been a pioneer by incorporating the requirement of birdlife protection into its designs and approval processes.

Various collaborations have also been established with the relevant authorities to meet the signage requirements set out in the Environmental Impact Statements for new power line projects, with the aim of preserving birdlife.

Collaboration with Autonomous Communities

At e-distribución, we have promoted collaboration agreements with regional governments in order to plan and execute the adaptation of the highest-priority lines or supports in consultation with the competent bodies.

To this end, and through e-distribución and the competent bodies for environmental protection in the corresponding Autonomous Communities, adaptation plans are established and their execution is monitored.

European Union LIFE Projects

Historically, with e-distribución, we have participated in various projects of the European Union's LIFE Programme aimed at the preservation and conservation of birds in the territories where we operate. A current example is the LIFE Eurokite project, spanning Andalusia and Extremadura, for which Endesa is developing the Spanish part. This project aims to analyse the causes of the decline of the red kite throughout Europe and to reinforce its populations.

Furthermore, Endesa is participating in the LIFE project for the recovery of the bearded vulture in the Iberian Peninsula, which is part of an ambitious reintroduction plan for this emblematic species that disappeared from the area decades ago.

Various voluntary projects

• Conservation and protection of the osprey Since 2018, Endesa has been carrying out the osprey conservation project in Cádiz and Huelva. This project includes the installation of nesting platforms and perches, the monitoring of breeding pairs, and the ringing of chicks, with the aim of expanding the distribution area of this species.
• CORACIAS Project, conservation of the European roller. The objective of this project is to reinforce the population present in the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà and Montgrí, Illes Medes i Baix Ter Natural Parks, through the installation and maintenance of specific nest boxes. The monitoring of nesting pairs and the use of techniques such as camera trapping and GPS tagging and tracking also helps to improve scientific knowledge about the target species.  In addition, since 2023, the installation of specific nest boxes for rollers has begun to extend to other areas of the territory (Osona).
• Supplementary Feeding Points for the cinereous vulture. Since 2015, we have been promoting the project to create Supplementary Feeding Points (PAS) for the cinereous vulture and other large scavenger raptors in the Pyrenees. This initiative, launched by the Asociación Trenca, contributes to the growth and stabilisation of the reintroduced colony of cinereous vultures in the Sierra de Boumort and, in general, to the preservation of the four European vulture species.
• Capercaillie Project. In partnership with the organisation Paisatges Vius, we began a collaboration project in 2020 to facilitate the marking of medium-voltage power lines in the l'Alt Pirineu Natural Park, to help the species thrive in this high-mountain environment. This impact mitigation measure was combined, to increase its positive impact, with additional conservation actions such as habitat improvement, population studies, or the marking of trails.

Discover all our projects for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.

Alliances with stakeholders

Through Fundación Endesa, together with Acción por el Mundo Salvaje (AMUS), we are working on the study and conservation of the cinereous vulture.

The project focuses on identifying the threats affecting this species – such as poisoning or collisions with infrastructure – and proposing effective solutions. Thanks to this collaboration, concrete measures are being implemented for its conservation and monitoring in areas such as Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castile and Leon, where the majority of its population in Spain is concentrated.

Publications and awareness-raising activities

Between 1993 and 2004, we collaborated with the prestigious biologist Miguel Ferrer on the adaptation of the highest-priority supports in Andalusia. All the work, research, and the most relevant conclusions of this collaboration were compiled in the book Birds and Power Lines. This became one of the first reference guides for solutions for adapting power lines, predating the regulations that would later be established by RD1432/2008.

In terms of dissemination and awareness-raising activities for the protection of birdlife, the conferences organised by e-distribución are a benchmark. Their objective is to share knowledge and good practices with administrations and conservation organisations, such as those held in Lleida in recent years with the Catalan Rural Agents corps.