DTEK Odesa Grids saves birds in the Lyman District by installing reflective diverters

Thermal power generation08 December 2020

The energy company is installing special reflective diverters on a 110 kV high-voltage power transmission line, named Ajalyk-Sychavka line. By doing so, we are saving birds from death, protect them from collisions with high-voltage lines during migration, and prevent accidents in the networks and short-circuiting of power lines. DTEK Odesa Grids cares of preserving biodiversity, and protects the environment in the region.

DTEK Odesa Grids saves birds in the Lyman District by installing reflective diverters

The power line is located in the Lyman District of Odesa Region. There the landscape reserves are located, such as Kairovsky, Novomykolayivsky, Kalinovsky, which are of local importance; as well as the Petrovsky faunal area of national importance, the Tiligulskaya Peresyp ornithological reserve of local importance, and the Kosa Strilka national nature reserve. More than 236 bird species live here.

“DTEK is a company that implements European standards in Ukraine. Installation of reflective diverters is a worldwide practice. This project is a part of DTEK's global sustainable development policy, and complies with the direction of the UN Global Compact “preserving the biodiversity of living organisms,” says Oleksands Fomenko, DTEK Odesa Grids CEO.

A Ukrainian manufacturer designed and manufactured such reflective diverters specifically for DTEK Grids. This device is to be installed on the wires of the power line, has a minimum weight, windage, improved fastening to withstand wind load. The diverter is bright orange for contrast with the surrounding ecosystem. The movable element made of special plastic is resistant to electric current and ultraviolet radiation. It reflects light, revolves around the wire and makes it more visible to birds. This will help not only to protect birds from death, including rare and endangered ones, but also to increase the reliability of power supply for customers.

The energy company determines locations for the reflective diverters together with ornithologists. They survey the territories and identify sections of lines potentially dangerous for birds, taking into account seasonal migration and bird habitat in accordance with the recommendations of the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) and BirdLife International.

In total, the power company plans to install 1,340 diverters on the 110 kV high-voltage Ajalyk-Sychavka line by the end of 2020. Today 500 of them have already been installed.

Let us recall that DTEK Odesa Grids has mounted 26 nest platforms for storks across Odesa Region in 2020. Most of all in the Mykolayiv, Tatarbunary and Oknyansky districts. 60 platforms more are planned for 2021.