01 April 2021
Elia makes overhead line in Ghent Canal Zone visible to birds
Bird markers have been installed on the overhead line by the R4 road in Evergem to ensure birds can see it better and collide with it less often.
Elia, the operator of the Belgian high-voltage grid, installed the markers following a Natuurpunt study that showed that many birds were colliding with this overhead line. Belgium has more than 5,600 kilometres of overhead electricity connections, of which 325 kilometres pose an increased risk to birds. Elia has already installed markers on a total of 50 kilometres. Initial monitoring by Natuurpunt shows that the number of birds injured and killed from collisions has dropped drastically since the markers were installed.
- Natuurpunt and Elia join forces to make overhead lines more visible to birds
- Natuurpunt study shows increased risk on approximately 6% of all overhead lines in Belgium
- Overhead line in Evergem one of riskiest to birds, now fitted with bird markers over a distance of one kilometre
Marleen Vanhecke
Head of Communication & Reputation Elia Group
mobile:
+32 486 49 01 09
office:
+32 2 546 71 32
