Talk Managing vegetation under overhead hightension lines : from a constraint to an opportunity for biodiversity
Abstract

Vegetation is a key issue when dealing with electrical safety of high-tension lines crossing forest areas.

As an alternative to the regular vegetation destruction, the LIFE Elia-RTE project implements 7 innovative actions in Belgium and France. Investing in our innovative vegetation management techniques creates stable natural habitats that combine electrical safety and shelter threatened animal and plant species. A cost-benefit analysis showed that these methods were cheaper (1.4 to 3.9 times on 30 years) than the ongoing vegetation management.

Local stakeholders are also involved, thus increasing social acceptance.

These actions are promoted in Europe by the team among Transmission System Operators.

Keywords
Electricity transmission, vegetation management, biodiversity, innovation, local stakeholders, forest corridors, biological and economical monitoring, Europe.