Protected birds at risk as dangerous power lines in Murcia remain unsafe after crucial deadline

A year-long deadline to adapt dangerous high-voltage lines has passed, and around 50 owners still haven't submitted safety plans

The regional government has been pushing for safer power lines across Murcia to protect local wildlife, but many dangerous power lines remain uncorrected. Around 50 owners of high-voltage lines have not responded to the government's request for safety plans, leaving protected birds at risk of electrocution.

Over the past year, the Consejería de Medio Ambiente, led by Juan María Vázquez, received 216 plans from 130 owners proposing measures to make their lines safer. These plans are to prevent birds from being electrocuted or colliding with cables. This is a problem affecting hundreds of thousands of kilometres of power lines across the region.

The plans submitted on time already mark real progress. For the lines where owners haven't acted, the government will issue notifications reminding them of their obligations and warning of potential sanctions for non-compliance.

The push to protect birds was supported by a €1.88 million aid programme in 2025, covering measures like insulating cables, modifying dangerous supports, and installing 'bird-savers' or visual markers to prevent collisions. The funding was designed to make it easier for owners to take action quickly.

Owners who haven't submitted plans include local councils, irrigation and industrial companies, and property developers, with many older lines in rural areas being the most dangerous. Interestingly, owners don't need prior administrative approval to make corrections, they just need to submit a plan, which should speed up the improvements.

Environmental groups like ANSE (Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste) are monitoring the situation closely. Their citizen-science project tracks bird deaths on dangerous lines, highlighting the ongoing urgency to adapt dangerous infrastructure before more protected species are lost.

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Image: ANSE