Bird species protected by State Grid Hefei Power Supply Company's green efforts

On May 22, at the construction site of the third phase of the Shibalianwei Ecological Wetland Project in Feidong county, Hefei city, Anhui province, staff members from the State Grid Hefei Power Supply Company's transmission operation and inspection center were building bird nests. Four bird nests were installed under tower 24 of the 220-kilovolt Binxia Line, guiding birds to nest in the safe zone of the transmission tower.

The Shibalianwei Ecological Wetland is the largest natural flood storage wetland in Chaohu Lake, covering an area of more than 1,333 hectares. The wetland features clear lakes, swaying reeds, lush aquatic plants, and a perpetual spring-like environment. The fresh air, abundant aquatic plants and lush green trees along the banks create an ideal habitat for birds.

This superior ecological environment has made Shibalianwei wetland a paradise for numerous wild bird species. Observations have revealed that 36 species of national grade one and two rare birds inhabit the area, with a total of 190 bird species listed in the bird records. Rare birds such as Oriental White Storks, Black-faced Spoonbills and Dalmatian Pelicans have nested and settled in the area.

The wetland also serves as a key transmission line corridor in the southeast of Hefei. The towering transmission towers provide ideal nesting platforms for these birds as they elevate away from ground disturbances and offer broad visibility and safety. Every spring, the area becomes a breeding paradise for birds, with flocks of rare species making it their home. It is infusing the wetland park with boundless vitality.

To protect the rare bird species in Shibalianwei wetland and the safety of the power grid, State Grid Hefei Power Supply Company initiated a batch of protective measures. They constructed artificial bird nests in the safety zone of the transmission towers to address issues such as porcelain pollution and line tripping caused by the nesting of large-sized birds like Oriental White Storks and herons, providing a safe environment for these bird species.

While constructing the artificial bird nests, staff members also conduct comprehensive inspections by carefully checking the operational status of the line equipment, promptly clearing any impact of bird nests on the equipment, and taking necessary protective measures.

Since May, staff members have utilized the gaps in bird migration and nesting periods to supplement and improve the bird-protecting devices built in the past few days. Through technological means, they ensured the effectiveness and durability of these devices and reduced disruptions to both birds and power equipment.

To safeguard the nesting and reproduction of birds and ensure the safe operation of the power grid, the company adopted visual devices and conducted dual-channel inspections along the bird lines. Due to these efforts, they can dynamically grasp information on bird nesting habits, habitat distribution and tower nest locations.

As the construction of the Shibalienwei Ecological Wetland progresses, State Grid Hefei Power Supply Company focuses on the electricity demand of the wetland area and simultaneously implements pole line relocation and replaces overhead lines with underground cables. Such efforts are improving the wetland's ecological environment and ensuring a reliable power supply to the water circulating and purifying pumping stations. As of now, the company has removed more than 100 power poles, laid 13 kilometers of 10 kV cables, and built three new Ring Main Units, a kind of high-voltage switchgear.

"We have already completed the underground transformation of the 10 kV distribution network poles in the first and second phases of Shibalianwei. This project has effectively enhanced the power supply in the wetland area while reducing the impact of ground facilities on the ecological environment," said Wu Xiangsheng, deputy director of the Changlin Center Power Supply Office of State Grid Hefei Power Supply Company.

By fulfilling corporate responsibilities and safeguarding ecological construction, State Grid Hefei Power Supply Company will further intensify the bird protection and line safeguarding initiative in the future, in a bid to ensure power supply security in the ecological wetlands and provide crucial support for local biodiversity conservation and ecological civilization construction.