Red Eléctrica, Redeia’s subsidiary responsible for the transmission and operation of the electrical system in Spain, will install bird-saving devices along the power lines located in the main flight zones of the bearded vulture as a measure to protect almost the entire population of this species in our country.

This special marking plan covers 160 kilometres of electricity transmission grid lines located in the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, El Maestrazgo, and Sierra de Cazorla: The areas with the highest numbers of this bird, which is categorised as endangered.

The measure is framed within Red Eléctrica's collaboration with the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (Fundación para la Conservación del Quebrantahuesos - FCQ), which is part of the European LIFE project, with the aim of contributing to the recovery of this species in the country's main mountain ranges. Along with the foundation’s technical team, the company has supported the purchase of 12 GPS satellite devices to improve scientific monitoring of the species, as well as the development of workshops on regulations and other issues.

‘Protecting avifauna is one of Red Eléctrica's many commitments to help conserve biodiversity, far beyond legal requirements. With the implementation of this plan, we will continue to work on mapping the areas of presence and flight routes of all types of birds, ensuring harmonious coexistence between the transmission grid and avifauna,’ explains Fernando Crespo, Manager of Red Eléctrica's Environmental Department.

‘This action represents a strong commitment to biodiversity conservation by mitigating a threat that affects a significant number of species, not only the bearded vulture but also birds of prey. Some of these are also listed as threatened, such as imperial eagles, kites, or Bonelli's eagles,’ says Gerardo Báguena, President of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture.

The bearded vulture marking plan is voluntary and was initiated by Red Eléctrica after analysing thousands of geolocation data points from 66 specimens identified and tagged by the FCQ in the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, Gredos, and El Maestrazgo. The information was provided by the foundation, as well as the Government of Aragón. The company has identified the line segments for marking in order to prevent the risk of collision after cross-checking information on the main flight zones of this species in Spain with the transmission grid.

This year, in addition to the 160 km covered by the bearded vulture marking plan, Red Eléctrica will be placing devices on all transmission grid lines with a critical risk to avifauna in accordance with the ‘Flight Corridors’ project. This initiative spans across Aragón, the Principality of Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja, Navarra, and León, totalling more than 46 km.

Thanks to this, over 6,000 kilometres of the transmission grid will be marked with bird-saving devices by the end of the year to protect avifauna and natural capital throughout the country. The company's aim is to mark 100% of critical spans in the grid by 2025.