Environmental Protection
Biodiversity and landscape
We apply in our activity the principles of prevention and mitigation, and implement measures aimed at protecting ecosystems.
To anticipate and avoid potential impacts; to minimise them when avoidance is not possible; to restore biodiversity when impacts occur; and to compensate when residual effects remain.
To achieve at least a “No Net Loss” level, while aiming for a “Net Gain” in biodiversity, ensuring a balance between the pre- and post-construction phases of projects and the mitigation measures implemented.
To respond to societal expectations by recognising and maintaining a social licence to operate.
The Avifauna Protocols aim to prevent and minimise negative impacts on birdlife associated with the existence of High and Medium Voltage overhead electricity distribution networks.
These voluntary actions have been monitored since 2003 by the Technical Monitoring Committee for Power Lines and Birds (CTALEA).
In 2003, the first Avifauna Protocol was signed, establishing a differentiated working model based on a voluntary partnership between E-REDES, ICNF and environmental NGOs (ENGOs).
Voluntary bird protection actions are monitored by the Technical Monitoring Committee for Power Lines and Birds (CTALEA).
The close relationship between E-REDES and the entities represented on the committee is a decisive success factor for the results achieved. In addition, it has enabled participation in several European projects, such as the European Union’s LIFE Nature Programme, ensuring the continuous implementation of increasingly innovative solutions, both from a technical and analytical perspective.
This is the protocol currently in force. While continuing the previously defined objectives, it also introduces new goals:
- Improve the identification of critical lines for birdlife;
- Promote good mitigation practices in the management of habitats of target species;
- Strengthen collaboration with the entities involved;
- Make birdlife data available through a geoportal to support technical and scientific studies;
- Explore national financial mechanisms for urgent situations.
- Monitoring studies of overhead power lines to assess the occurrence of bird mortality;
- Production of collision and electrocution risk maps for target species with high conservation status;
- Implementation of more efficient technologies to minimise the impact of overhead power lines on birdlife;
- Prioritisation of potentially hazardous overhead power lines for voluntary corrective action.
