SmartBirds
Photo: © EVN Bulgaria
For the first time, the network company of EVN Bulgaria will act as coordinator of an international project with partners from Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Turkey.
On 18 March 2026, in Plovdiv, the international project “Reduction of mortality risk on globally endangered birds through retrofitting of hazardous overhead power lines in South-eastern Europe” (EP for Birds LIFE), funded by the EU LIFE Programme, was officially presented. The project is led by EP Yug in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, EVN Macedonia, the Macedonian Ecological Society, and the Doğa Dernegi. The partners will also collaborate with four electricity distribution companies from Turkey.
The project aims to support the conservation of the globally threatened Eastern Imperial Eagle and Egyptian Vulture by upgrading and making power infrastructure bird-safe across the participating countries. It will be implemented in 14 Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria (in the regions of Haskovo, Kardzhali, Stara Zagora, Yambol and Sliven) and in 48 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA/KBA) in North Macedonia and Turkey.
Photo: © EVN Bulgaria
EP Yug presented its long-term efforts to reduce bird mortality through the insulation of poles and overhead power lines. The project will introduce new technologies for grid safety and apply advanced scientific methods to monitor their effectiveness. These approaches will be shared internationally and replicated along key migratory routes of the two target species.
Although the project focuses on the populations of the Eastern Imperial Eagle and Egyptian Vulture, the measures will benefit many other bird species that breed, migrate or winter within the project areas.
Within its licensed territory in south-eastern Bulgaria, Electricity Distribution South will implement the following activities:
- Insulating 8,700 poles to make them safe for birds.
- Installing 1,500 bird diverters on overhead power lines.
The first technical activities started in March, and by the end of May 2026, 270 poles in the regions of Haskovo, Kardzhali and Yambol will be made bird-safe.
In the Republic of North Macedonia, the project will include:
- Insulating 3,000 poles;
- Installing 1,000 bird diverters.
In the Republic of Turkey, the planned activities include:
- Insulating 5,000 poles.
Additionally, four professional drones will be purchased—three for installing diverters and one for GIS field surveys and data analysis using specialised software. The project also includes the acquisition of specialised equipment, including two aerial work platforms.
The activities are planned over a five-year period until 2030, during which EP Yug will contribute to biodiversity conservation by applying innovative technical solutions with long-term impact.
Photo: © EVN Bulgaria
The European Commission has approved the maximum co-financing rate of 75%, with a total project budget exceeding €11.3 million. Of this amount, nearly €8.5 million will be provided by the EU, while the remaining funds will be covered by the project partners. The co-financing contribution from EP Yug amounts to nearly €2 million.
Project No. 101216021 – LIFE24-NAT-BG-EP for Birds LIFE is funded under the EU LIFE Programme.
