BEIJING, Monday, April 14, 2025 (WNP) The State Grid Anyang Power Supply Company has stepped up its bird protection measures, installing over 580 bird protection covers and more than 3,000 bird spikes in the city of Anyang, in a bid to mitigate the ecological and operational risks posed by bird nesting on power infrastructure.

The utility provider has also cleared more than 400 trees obstructing power distribution corridors and resolved upwards of 2,000 potential hazards related to bird nests, the China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Monday.

The efforts are part of a three-day special operation launched by the company to install bird deterrent devices and rectify equipment issues along towers of the 220kV transmission lines.

“This operation is scheduled to last three days. Everyone must strictly follow safety protocols to prevent accidents such as climbing the wrong towers, falling from heights, being struck by falling objects, or electric shocks,” said Cui Zhikai, the team leader, during a pre-operation safety briefing.

As spring temperatures rise, bird activity enters its peak season, increasing the likelihood of nests on power line towers — favored by birds for their height and structure. These nests, often built using conductive materials such as twigs, grass, and even metal wires, combined with bird droppings, can cause grounding faults and insulator flashovers. Such incidents threaten both power grid stability and local ecosystems.

In response, the company has ramped up its inspection regime with a hybrid strategy combining manual patrols and drone surveillance, particularly targeting high-risk zones with frequent bird activity. A triple-protection approach — comprising bird spikes, baffles, and protective covers — has been deployed on 220kV lines, while key sections of the 110kV network now feature dual-protection systems.

Earlier this year, the company partnered with local forestry authorities to study bird species distribution and migratory behavior. These findings informed a data-driven field survey along transmission routes and led to the formulation of a comprehensive, joint bird protection action plan.

Looking ahead, the State Grid Anyang Power Supply Company plans to expand its efforts, aiming for full triple-protection coverage across all 220kV lines and dual-protection on critical 110kV segments. The overarching goal is to ensure both ecological conservation and the secure, stable operation of the power grid.