Making Energy Infrastructure Sustainable
Universal energy access is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the deployment of electricity grids is expected to expand globally in the coming decades. However, the installation of a large number of power lines is not biodiversity-friendly. In particular, electrocution on power poles is a major cause of bird mortality worldwide, including for some severely endangered species. As powerline networks continue to increase, the threat is elevated causing further population declines in birds and other wildlife. Thousands of kilometres of distribution lines cross the Mongolian steppe grasslands connecting villages and businesses to the electricity transmission grid.
This grassland habitat attracts large numbers of raptors that feed on an abundant supply of rodents, and the power lines provide attractive perching sites for these important predators in this extensive and often featureless landscape. Sadly, when raptors perch on the steelreinforced concrete poles of these power lines they face a high risk of electrocution. In Mongolia, an estimated 18,000 raptors are electrocuted each year, including 4,000 Saker Falcons, which were listed as an endangered species. The Saker Falcon is the national bird of Mongolia and is also a national emblem in the United Arab Emirates, providing a symbolic link between the two nations for conservation of the species.
In 2019, the MBZ Raptor Conservation Fund responded to this threat by launching an initiative to insulate thousands of these power poles to prevent the electrocution of birds. We did this by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Nature and Environment and engaging with each of the seven regional electricity distribution companies across Mongolia. For this project, the Fund designed and manufactured novel insulation equipment to meet our six criteria of being (i) effective, (ii) durable, (iii) failsafe with (iv) no impact on power supply, (v) simple to install and(vi) low cost.
This equipment comprised insulation covers to fit over the crossarms and concrete pole tops of the standard line poles found in Mongolia, and is suitable for both retrofitting existing lines and being incorporated into new lines. In implementing this project, we worked with two Mongolian conservation organisations – the Mongolian Bird Conservation Center (MBCC) and the Wildlife and Science Conservation Center (WSCC).
Our next step is to build on our success in Mongolia, using this project as an exemplar to focus attention, develop bird-safe regulations for power line construction, attract funding and engage with stakeholders to address the issue of raptor electrocution at a global scale.
Results
This is the largest single power line retrofitting project globally, demonstrating that effective mitigation can be deployed at scale, significantly reducing raptor electrocution rates and saving tens of thousands of birds each year.
27,000 power poles were successfully insulated by 2022
