The project is funded by the EU LIFE program and implemented by Elektrorazpredelenie Yug in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB)
In October 2025, a meeting was held in Burgas to exchange experience between experts from Bulgaria and Austria. Measures to protect biodiversity in both countries and the technical solutions used were discussed. The event featured a presentation of the activities under the "LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas" project, which is funded by the EU's LIFE program and implemented by Elektrorazpredelenie Yug in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB).
The "LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas" project of Elektrorazpredelenie Yug aims to protect birds from contact with overhead power lines along the Via Pontica migration route (the second most important migration route for wild birds in Europe), as well as to reduce accidents on the power distribution network in the area. The total cost of the project is nearly €5.5 million, with a planned implementation period from 2021 to 2026.
The results achieved so far by the project are:
- Over 1,750 poles have been secured using special protective materials. The project is the first to use a new type of material with a high level of protection and durability.
- 400 bird reflectors (diverter devices) have been installed on overhead power lines, improving visibility for birds.
- In 2024 Elektrorazpredelenie Yug and BSPB carried out the first installation of diverters using a drone over the Fakiska River. With this, the two companies are once again introducing innovative practices in the country as part of a LIFE program project.
- 7 km of overhead power lines have been laid underground (cabled).
- Elektrorazpredelenie Yug and BSPB created a GIS database with information on the exact location of power lines in Natura 2000 areas under the project
- A new trafostation was built, which increases the security of the power supply for the Sarafovo district and Burgas Airport
As a result of this activity, the risk to birds from contact with overhead power lines has been minimized and accidents involving power lines have been reduced. The security of electricity supply to a number of settlements around Burgas has been significantly improved.
The measures are being implemented in the lakes around Burgas - Atanasovsko Lake, Burgas Lake (Vaya), Mandara-Poda Complex, and Pomorie Lake, which are located on the bird migration route "Via Pontica" and are part of the NATURA 2000 network in Bulgaria.
