Netherlands – Research services – Onderzoek Draadslachtoffers en Effectiviteit Hawk Eye-draadmarkeringen Verbinding Vierverlaten Ens 380 kV

For the project Connection Vierverlaten-Ens 380 kV (VVL-ENS380), research must be conducted into the effectiveness of Hawk Eye (a new form of wire marking, see this link to article on TenneT website) and the updating of figures on wire casualties per type. Both are necessary for the permitting of the project, but must also be applicable TenneT-wide for other line projects. Currently, data from 1987 is used to determine the number of wire casualties under high-voltage connections. This data no longer aligns with the current situation and does not provide sufficient basis to carefully substantiate the ecological impact of high-voltage infrastructure. This creates uncertainty about the extent of the effects on bird populations and about the effectiveness of any mitigating measures. The intended research therefore has two interrelated objectives. Firstly, a current baseline measurement will be conducted to gain insight into the number of wire casualties under and in the immediate vicinity of the existing 220 kV high-voltage connection between Vierverlaten and Ens. Subsequently, the effectiveness of mitigating measures will be investigated by applying them to selected masts and conductors and monitoring the results. An important part of the research concerns the assessment of the effectiveness of different types of bird markings. Within the organisation, there is a preference for the application of Hawk Eye wire marking as a mitigating measure. However, scientific substantiation of its effectiveness under Dutch conditions is currently lacking for broader implementation. The research should therefore provide the knowledge base needed to make substantiated choices about the use of this measure and to demonstrably prove its contribution to reducing wire casualties.