EPP North launches a project with European funding together with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
A project of ERP North under the LIFE Programme of the European Union has been approved for funding and will be implemented by the company in cooperation with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB). For the joint initiative entitled “Safe Sky for Birds in North-East Bulgaria” (“LIFE NE BG Safe Sky”), an agreement has been concluded and already formalized with signatures with the EC for the implementation of the project activities set out in the project. The main objective is to prevent mortality among globally endangered bird species caused by electric shock and collision with overhead power lines by applying best practices among modern solutions for their protection.
The project targets 16 target bird species, 15 of which are included in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, and 10 species are part of the Red List of the International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUCN). 14 of the bird species included are priority for conservation on the European continent. Among the target species, the endangered ones in Bulgaria are the curly-headed pelican, red-breasted goose, small white-fronted goose, imperial eagle, evening kestrel, hunting falcon, Egyptian vulture, large goshawk and others.
Nearly €3.3 million will be invested in securing the electricity distribution network and protecting endangered bird species, with a planned European co-financing of 67% (€2.2 million). The total amount will be used for securing 10,000 dangerous power poles along the grid in North-Eastern Bulgaria, as well as for marking overhead power lines with 5,000 reflective markers (so-called diverters). The activities will be carried out by ERP North electricians with the participation of specialists and ornithologists from the BSPB in 28 specially protected areas of the Natura 2000 network in North-East Bulgaria and in key corridors between them. A system for future monitoring of bird mortality will also be established along all power lines in this part of the country. Additionally, to provide safe nesting sites for two of the target bird species (evening kestrels and bluebirds), 100 special artificial nesting boxes will be installed on electric poles.
The selected area for the implementation of the project is an important breeding and wintering place for birds, it is also part of the migratory route for birds Via Pontica. About 500,000 storks and 110,000 birds of prey from northern, eastern and central Europe migrate through the area. Therefore, the problem of bird mortality caused by the energy infrastructure goes far beyond the national borders of Bulgaria and is relevant for EU countries whose birds migrate or winter in the territories included in the project.
The mortality of birds from collision with wires and from electric shock when landing on unprotected poles also has socio-economic dimensions, because it causes network failures and power outages in populated areas, which causes economic losses, as well as additional greenhouse emissions of CO2 resulting from frequent repairs of power lines.
The implementation period of the project is 5 years and ERP North together with its partners from BSPB will start activities, taking into account the weather conditions and the recommendations of specialists regarding the behavior and life cycle of birds.
