Biodiversity enhancement in power line corridors: strategic maintenance and conservation efforts

Research underscores the importance of these corridors in green infrastructure as traditional grasslands decline. In 2017 and 2019, Vattenfall conducted a GIS-based analysis to identify biodiversity hotspots in its power line corridors.

The analysis identified 1,600 km of potentially valuable grassland out of a total of 8,600 km in middle and northern Sweden. Field studies and biodiversity assessments were then conducted to validate and prioritise these hotspots.

The field studies documented habitats and species, classifying 980 hotspots covering about 250 km. Vattenfall’s maintenance routine involves clearing power line corridors every eighth year and patrol paths every fourth year.

Insights from the hotspot identification led to tailored maintenance plans for each hotspot to enhance biodiversity, for example through the creation of glades, widening patrol paths and removing the cut material as well as special trimming and thinning out to prevent overgrowth.

The measures aim to favour, among others, bumblebees, bees, and butterflies. By 2024, 61% of the hotspots had tailored maintenance, with a target of 100% by 2026.