The death of birds by electrocution is one of the most serious problems affecting Spain’s rich natural heritage. It is estimated that several tens of thousands of birds die annually in our country, both of national and European origin. A good number of them are listed in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species.

The death of birds by electrocution is a problem considered by all levels, both official and private, dedicated to nature conservation as a priority.

In this regard, the Ministry of the Environment has set up a working group, in agreement with all the autonomous communities and the Ministry of Industry, to draw up state regulations to solve the problem of the technical adaptation of power lines so that they are harmless to birds

The Ministry already has a draft regulation, which has the approval of the National Nature Commission and the National Energy Commission, and which consists of a Technical Report and an Economic Report. The draft of the text is well advanced.

In terms of investments, four agreements are in the pipeline with the Autonomous Communities of Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Valencia and Catalonia to invest in the correction of power lines dangerous for birds in these Autonomous Communities.

In addition, for 2006, an amount of 1.6 million euros is foreseen in the budget of the Directorate-General for Biodiversity in order to undertake, in coordination with the Autonomous Communities, new corrections in the most dangerous power lines.