Elektrorazpredelenie Yug (EP Yug) participated as a lecturer in an international online seminar on "Sharing knowledge and best practices for a safe electricity grid for birds in Turkey", which was held on 7 June. The meeting was organized by the long-standing partner of EP Yug - the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) under the project for conservation of the endangered Egyptian vulture - "Egyptian Vulture New LIFE".
To the seminar were invited Representatives of electricity distribution companies from Turkey - Mersin, Adana, Beypazari and other regions, non-governmental organizations - DD - Doga Dernegi / Birdlife Turkey, BSPB, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, BLI - Bird Life International and companies producing safety materials for electricity grid - TE, PLS, Energo-Tel, Reliaguard.
Various topics related to risky parts of the electricity distribution grid for birds and their securing were discussed during the meeting. Experts from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds presented a study on the mortality of birds caused by electrocution and collision with wires, and an opportunity to address the problem. The types of insulation safety materials were discussed and the idea of developing a national guidance for design and construction of bird-safe electrical infrastructure.
The focus of the seminar was on the achievements of EP Yug in the field of securing the electric grid in the company's licensed territory. The good practices for modernization of the grid in the direction of bird safety implemented over the years were presented, the two projects won, funded by the European Commission's LIFE Programme in partnership with the BSPB, "Life for safe grid” (LIFE 12 NAT/BG/000572) and "LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas" (LIFE20 NAT/BG/001234), as well as the oldest nature conservation initiative of the company - securing the nests of the white stork.
The project "Life for safe grid” (LIFE 12 NAT/BG/000572) was the first environmental project of a private infrastructure company approved for funding under LIFE programme and successfully completed with a significantly increased population of the imperial eagles. The project "LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas" (LIFE20 NAT/BG/001234) has a duration by September 2026 within which 52 km of overhead power lines will be laid underground and 96 km of overland electricity distribution lines will be secured for the conservation of protected bird species in the territory of the Burgas wetlands.
