Elering will order additional scientific research in order to determine the impact of the Väinatamm Causeway overhead lines on wild birds

Elering will order a complex survey by way of public procurement in order to specify the impact of the high-voltage overhead lines on the Väinatamm Causeway on wild birds on the basis of scientific data.

The area of research is a section of the line of approximately three kilometres on the Väinatamm Causeway, as well as the waters surrounding it. The Tusti-Orissaare and Võiküla-Orissaare 110 kilovolt power lines on which the entire power supply of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa depends are on the same masts located on the causeway.

“Thus far, there have been too few facts and too much emotion when it comes to the overhead lines. Of course, the death of any living being is not acceptable. We estimate the replacement of the two overhead lines with submarine power cables to cost 10-12 million euros, for which all of us and the Estonian economy would have to pay for by means of network fees. The research to be commenced must specify the actual impact based on scientific data in order to consider the application of proportional measures in order to alleviate the impact,” said Taavi Veskimägi, Chairman of the Management Board of Elering.

In this year, the first submarine power cable will be completed in the Väike Väin strait, which will replace an overhead line located on the Väinatamm Causeway. “Once the submarine cable has been completed and we have received the results of the research, we will be able to dismantle one of the overhead lines on the causeway and reduce the impact of the remaining overhead line on wild birds according to the recommendations of ornithologists,” added Veskimägi.

Different methodologies must be used in the complex survey in order to measure the impact of the power line – radar survey along with visual inspection and night-time audio monitoring, searching for birds deceased due to the power lines, camera surveillance of the lines, and censuses of waterfowl staying on the area surrounding the lines. The winner of the procurement must prepare a summary report based on the data gathered during the field work and the analysis thereof, and recommendations must be given for alleviating the impact of the high-voltage power line.

Tenders for conducting the complex survey can be submitted until 25 July. The survey must be completed within 15 months as of entry into the contract.

Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands receive their electrical supply via the Elering high-voltage overhead lines located on the Väinatamm Causeway. In the case of lines located on the same masts, there is a risk that the destruction of a mast due to severe meteorological conditions or for any other reason would leave the islands without electricity for hours, or in a worst-case scenario, for days. In order to increase the security of supply, Elering is replacing one of the lines with a submarine power cable.

In the last five years, Elering has invested 15 million euros in the security of supply of Estonia’s major islands, and in the next five years, there are plans to invest at least another 17 million euros.

Elering is also focusing on the safety of birds in the project of the Estonian-Latvian third electricity interconnection, which is currently being constructed. Namely, approximately 9,000 markers will be installed on the Harku-Lihula-Sindi 330/110 kilovolt high-voltage power line within an area of 40 kilometres with the purpose of making the power line more visible for birds.