04 March 2020

Elia's LIFE project achieves very positive results in improving biodiversity under high-voltage lines

The Elia LIFE project has had the aim of creating green corridors to enhance biodiversity under overhead electrical lines. Project partner Ecofirst has now compiled a scientific report on the biological monitoring of the project sites. The report takes stock of the actions carried out between 2011 and 2017 in order to assess the impact of the investments on biodiversity. The results are highly encouraging, with 98% of evaluated sites showing conclusive outcomes.

The result? 429 hectares transformed into green corridors.

To prevent incidents and guarantee security of supply, Elia must observe safety distances around the electrical conductors of its high-voltage lines. Keen to avoid cutting down trees and vegetation unnecessarily, Elia joined forces with the French transmission system operator RTE to set up the LIFE project, partly funded by the European Commission and the Walloon Region. A total area of 429 ha has been adapted so that it is managed in ways that enhance the biological quality of habitats and reduce the infrastructure's long-term environmental impact. The aim is for Elia's grid in wooded areas to contribute to the country's ecological fabric by creating areas of special biological interest that are managed appropriately.

Discover the movie (in French)