The ecological transition needs a bird-safe power grid

But this transformation must also be made compatible with biodiversity conservation. Power lines, depending on their configuration (though not in every case, nor across 100% of the infrastructure), have inherent impacts on birdlife that must be prevented and mitigated. Power lines can be dangerous to birds both through electrocution – especially on certain poles and pylons where a bird can simultaneously touch live components and earthed structures – and through collision with overhead lines.

Pioneers in protecting birdlife

In 2008, Spain pioneered the approval of specific legislation to address this problem through the Royal Decree on the protection of birdlife against collision and electrocution on power lines. That regulation represented a major step forward and placed our country among the global leaders in this field. However, the experience gained over these years has also highlighted limitations that have made it difficult to fully resolve the problem.

Today, we have much more technical, scientific, and regulatory expertise. We know that research and improvements are still needed, especially regarding collisions, but we also know that effective solutions already exist for electrocutions. We have safe pylon designs for new infrastructure and corrective measures for existing infrastructure capable of drastically reducing bird mortality if applied properly and as a priority.

Making the entire power grid bird-safe

That is why the reform of the Royal Decree currently under review by the Spanish Government represents a key opportunity. From SEO/BirdLife we consider it essential that the new regulatory framework extends its scope of action nationwide, as numerous dangerous power lines still fall outside current protection zones despite causing significant mortality among endangered species.

Our vision is clear: to move towards a model in which the entire power grid, both existing and future, is safe for birds. To achieve this, it will be necessary to progressively retrofit all dangerous power lines across the country, following a strict prioritisation system, and ensure that any new electrical infrastructure incorporates safety criteria for birdlife from the design stage. The energy transition and biodiversity conservation must advance hand in hand, integrating the protection of birds as a structural element in the planning and physical design of electricity grids.

Achieving this goal will require a major technical, economic, and organisational effort. The progressive adaptation of all dangerous power lines across the country must be tackled through rigorous planning that sets out a roadmap with ambitious yet realistic deadlines, in line with practical capacity for on-the-ground delivery. Likewise, it will be essential to have prioritisation mechanisms that allow action to be taken first on those pylons and sections that pose the greatest risk to the most endangered species and areas of highest ecological value. Good planning, based on technical and scientific criteria, will help optimise available resources, increase efficiency, and accelerate the reduction of bird mortality associated with power lines.

Adapting electricity grids: strategic investments for the ecological transition

At the same time, it will be essential to have investment and remuneration mechanisms tailored to the regulatory framework of the electricity sector. The adaptation and retrofitting of power lines must be understood as a strategic investment for Spain linked to the ecological transition and not merely as an operating cost. This vision will make it possible to mobilise the necessary resources to take priority action on the most dangerous sections and pylons for endangered species nationwide. Alongside this, it will also be crucial to have monitoring and evaluation systems to continuously track the actual impact of power lines on birdlife and act quickly wherever new problems or emerging risks are detected.

Essential collaboration between all stakeholders

To achieve this, it will be essential to strengthen collaboration between distribution companies, public authorities, and bird conservation experts. Sharing information, prioritising actions, and developing common technical criteria will allow for more effective progress towards a shared goal: drastically reducing bird mortality on power lines. In this regard, the new Royal Decree should include stable mechanisms for technical cooperation, such as the creation of an expert committee involving public authorities, electricity companies, component manufacturers, and other birdlife specialists, to facilitate the continuous improvement of solutions and the adaptation of regulations to technical and scientific advances.

Much of this vision is today shared by large swathes of the business and energy sectors when it comes to overhead power lines. Precisely for this reason, the protection of birdlife on electricity grids constitutes one of the areas where collaboration between companies – such as Endesa –, public authorities, and conservation organisations – such as SEO/BirdLife – can generate real progress and effective solutions to build an energy transition that is truly compatible with nature.