After the stage of mapping and planning of the biotopes encountered on the routes of the 110 kV high-voltage overhead power lines (OPLs) corridors in the Moldova area, the distribution company Delgaz Grid took the first steps in their effective arrangement.
Together with the partners from the University “Ștefan Cel Mare” Suceava, last year the concept of “Ecological Corridor Management (ECM)” was implemented on an area of 60 hectares, related to approximately 20 km of line route. Also, 200 hectares have been mapped and are being prepared for the implementation of the project, with the objective of increasing the biodiversity of flora and fauna under the high voltage overhead lines.
For the current year, the company has proposed the development of approximately 185 hectares of ecological corridors, of which works are in full swing on approximately 100 hectares. Also for 2024, the mapping of another 150 hectares of corridors is targeted.
The Delgaz Grid company, part of the E.ON group in Romania, has proposed that by 2030 it will reach about 1,200 hectares of green corridors along 370 km of high-voltage overhead electrical networks crossing forest lands in the six counties in Moldova where Delgaz Grid operates in the electricity sector (Bacău, Botoșani, Iași, Neamț, Suceava and Vaslui).
The traditional model for ensuring the safe operation of power lines in forested areas is to ensure crossings by completely removing the vegetation below them and from the bordering area.
Ecological management of power line routes requires that only vegetation that poses a direct threat to power lines be removed. Slow growing trees, bushes and shrubs are kept as much as possible. Cut branches are left on the ground, creating important nesting opportunities for birds. This helps increase the biodiversity of flora and fauna below the lines.
The company collaborates within the project with the administrators of the forest fund, universities, NGOs from Romania, but also with the European Institute for the Management of Ecological Corridors from Germany.
Healthy and stable ecosystems are an important element in reducing global warming because they store CO2.
The E.ON Group was the first energy company in the world to declare its support for the United Nations Environment Program in restoring ecosystems for climate protection and biodiversity.
As Europe’s largest electricity distribution network operator, E.ON will create, from the Black Sea to Sweden, important biotopes under the 13,000 kilometers of high-voltage power lines in forest areas. This corresponds to an area of approximately 70,000 hectares or almost 100,000 football pitches. By managing ecological corridors, we not only guarantee security of supply for our customers, but also make an important contribution to protecting ecosystems across Europe.