SmartBirds
On 26 October 2022, in Burgas, Elektrorazpredelenie Yug (part of EVN) held a seminar on the project “LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas”.
The seminar was held at an expert level in the presence of representatives from Elektrorazpredelenie Yug, the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB), Burgas Municipality, RIEW Burgas, Green Balkans, etc. The management of the National Contact Point (NCP) of the LIFE Programme for Bulgaria at the Ministry of Environment and Waters (MoEW) also participated with a presentation.
The meeting was attended by Zdravko Bratoev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Elektrorazpredelenie Yug, Ms. Chanka Koralska, Deputy Mayor of Burgas Municipality and others.
During the presentation part, information was provided by Elektrorazpredelenie Yug about insulation of poles and conductors, installation of reflective markers (diverters) along the overhead lines, installation of platforms for protection of birds, etc. Experts from the company presented new developments for insulation and for securing elements of the technical infrastructure that protect birds landing on the poles. BSPB presented also the importance of the Burgas Lakes where one of the two main migration routes of birds in Europe, Via Pontica, passes through. The participants in the seminar also visited the Nature Conservation Center “Poda” near Burgas, where a representative of the BSPB informed about the importance of the Burgas wetlands for birds.
Within the project “LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas”, Elektrorazpredelenie Yug will implement the following measures:
- 52 km of overhead power lines will be laid underground, which completely eliminates the risks to wild birds.
- Installation of protective insulation on 2,000 poles of the electricity grid. By means of these insulations, the birds do not have a contact with the energized elements and thus no disturbances are caused in the power supply.
- Installation of 2,000 diverters (reflectors) along the overhead power lines. They reduce the likelihood of flying birds colliding with overhead wires.
- Construction of 18 new transformer stations and 1 switching station.
The project is implemented by Elektrorazpredelenie Yug in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB) and is financed by LIFE programme of the European Union. It will be implemented by 2026 in the wetlands around Burgas – Atanasovsko Lake, Burgas Lake (Vaya), Mandra-Poda Complex and Pomorie Lake, which are located on one of the two main migratory routes of birds in Europe – Via Pontica and are part of NATURA 2000 network in Bulgaria.
The aim of the project is to protect birds by reducing mortality due to contact with the overhead lines of the electricity distribution grid. In addition to bird precautions, the project will improve the security of electricity supply for customers in nearby settlements.
The total cost of the project is nearly EUR 5.5 million, 75% of the funds are provided by LIFE programme of the European Commission and 25% by Elektrorazpredelenie Yug.
Photo: Elektrorazpredelenie Yug
