Project LIFE Energy

This is already the seventh LIFE project supported by the European Commission which our organization is running. Previous projects were respectively aimed at the conservation of rare and endangered species of birds: Imperial Eagle, Great Bustard, Saker falcon, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Red-footed Falcon.

Project LIFE Energy will be implemented in thirteen SPAs (Special Protection Areas) in the period of 1st September 2014 - 31st December 2019 and is aimed at protecting the ten priority bird species. The full project title is "Energy in the land - power lines and conservation of priority bird species in the Natura 2000 sites" and the coordinating beneficiary of the project is a non-governmental organization: Raptor Protection of Slovakia. Project partners and associated beneficiaries are organizations Východoslovenská distribučná, a.s., Západoslovenská distribučná, a.s., Univerzita Veterinárskeho lekárstva a farmácie v Košiciach and the State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic.

Our organization is concerned with the effects of overhead electrical power lines on birds both longterm and systematic. For over 20 years we have worked with energy companies throughout Slovakia solving the problem of bird electrocution in contact with the structure of the column 22kV voltage. From about 1990, we began to develop and test insulators and structures for prevention of the cause. Today, any competent energy companies are involved in reducing the number of bird deaths due to electric shocks through the use of suitable types of barriers against abutment, and eco-insulators allowed safety abutment and the use of a suitable type of construction.

Project LIFE Energy is the first project with a systematic approach to solving the problem of bird collisions with power lines through the design of suitable methods for the identification and elimination of risks. The project also aims to create better feeding and breeding conditions, for the rehabilitation of animals injured in collisions with obstacles.

Project number: LIFE13 NAT/SK/001272

Project title: Energy in the land - power lines and conservation of priority bird species in Natura 2000 sites

Project acronym: LIFE ENERGY

Programme: LIFE +

Main donor: European Commission

Coordinating Beneficiary: Raptor Protection of Slovakia

Associated Beneficiaries:

Východoslovenská distribučná, a.s.

Západoslovenská distribučná, a.s.

University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice

State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic

Start date: 01.09.2014

End date: 31.12.2019

Project actions:

A1 Elaboration of methodology for identification of dangerous power lines and solutions

C1 Installation of bird flight diverters on the most dangerous power lines

C2 Restoration of windbreaks

C3 Creating of nesting opportunities

C4 Care for disabled individuals

C5 Restoration of colonies of Spermophilus citellus in SKCHVU027

D1 Monitoring of the impact of installation of bird flight diverters and restoration of windbreaks

D2 Monitoring of the impact of installation of nest boxes and artificial nests

D3 Monitoring of the restored colonies of Spermophilus citellus

D4 Assess of the socio-economic impact of the project

E1 Traveling exhibition Energy in the land

E2 Design and installation of notice boards

E3 Design and operate project web page

E4 Project communication and dissemination of results

E5 Communication with stakeholders

E6 Layman's Report

E7 Elaboration of a

F1 Project management, monitoring and reporting

F2 Hold Steering Committee Meetings

F3 Networking with other LIFE and/or non-LIFE projects

F4 Independent Audit

F5 After LIFE Conservation Plan