Endesa Invests €26.5 Million in Forest Protection in Catalonia
The investment marks a 36% increase from 2024, focusing on safeguarding forests surrounding electrical infrastructure.
Endesa has announced an investment of €26.5 million this year aimed at protecting forests in Catalonia that are traversed by its electrical infrastructure, representing a 36% increase compared to 2024. The announcement was made by Fran López, the head of high voltage network maintenance for Endesa in Catalonia, during a presentation of the forest protection plan in Tossal de la Corona, located in the municipality of Alpicat, Lleida.
As part of the annual campaign, tools such as helicopters, drones, thermal cameras, and specialized cutting and pruning brigades equipped with exoskeletons are employed.
The exoskeleton serves to alleviate fatigue, enhancing the safety and efficiency of workers engaged in forestry management around electrical lines.
Endesa’s forest protection plan includes cleaning and maintaining forest biomass around its electrical network, utilizing helicopters for thermal imaging and HD video recordings, applying new technologies for inspections, and conducting thorough reviews of all installations.
Out of the 100,101 kilometers of electrical lines operated by Endesa in Catalonia, 53% are overhead and pass through forested or vegetated areas.
The company states that 97% of its high voltage lines are aerial, while medium voltage comprises 52% and low voltage is at 49%.
If the lines were laid end to end, they would encircle the Earth 2.5 times.
A key aspect of Endesa’s campaign is the selective cutting and pruning of the forest, including trees, underbrush, and shrubs, that encroach on electrical lines.
This operation is performed in collaboration with various territorial agencies, including fire departments, rural agents, natural parks in Catalonia, and local administrations.
This year, the forestry brigades, such as the Agrupación de Defensa Forestal de Osona—which specializes in vertical work—will begin using the EXO-S exoskeleton, weighing only 2.3 kilograms.
This exoskeleton is one of the lightest available on the market and provides support to enhance movement while reducing physical strain on workers.
In the previous year, Endesa introduced a multifunctional helmet designed for preventive safety, significantly enhancing work conditions during emergencies.
This helmet features an auditory protection system to reduce noise, Bluetooth capabilities, and a communication system enabling simultaneous connections for up to sixteen users at a distance of 600 meters.
Additionally, Endesa employs a remote-controlled vegetation-clearing machine to create clear corridors beneath its electrical lines.
Endesa has established protocols in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya to coordinate efforts for forest fire prevention and response.
The plan developed for the summer fire season includes disabling automatic reconnections for electrical lines located in areas deemed dangerous according to the Alfa Plan, instituted by rural agents to identify wildfire threats.
Endesa's technicians also engage directly on-site, coordinating with fire brigades and other agencies involved in fire suppression efforts.
As part of the annual campaign, tools such as helicopters, drones, thermal cameras, and specialized cutting and pruning brigades equipped with exoskeletons are employed.
The exoskeleton serves to alleviate fatigue, enhancing the safety and efficiency of workers engaged in forestry management around electrical lines.
Endesa’s forest protection plan includes cleaning and maintaining forest biomass around its electrical network, utilizing helicopters for thermal imaging and HD video recordings, applying new technologies for inspections, and conducting thorough reviews of all installations.
Out of the 100,101 kilometers of electrical lines operated by Endesa in Catalonia, 53% are overhead and pass through forested or vegetated areas.
The company states that 97% of its high voltage lines are aerial, while medium voltage comprises 52% and low voltage is at 49%.
If the lines were laid end to end, they would encircle the Earth 2.5 times.
A key aspect of Endesa’s campaign is the selective cutting and pruning of the forest, including trees, underbrush, and shrubs, that encroach on electrical lines.
This operation is performed in collaboration with various territorial agencies, including fire departments, rural agents, natural parks in Catalonia, and local administrations.
This year, the forestry brigades, such as the Agrupación de Defensa Forestal de Osona—which specializes in vertical work—will begin using the EXO-S exoskeleton, weighing only 2.3 kilograms.
This exoskeleton is one of the lightest available on the market and provides support to enhance movement while reducing physical strain on workers.
In the previous year, Endesa introduced a multifunctional helmet designed for preventive safety, significantly enhancing work conditions during emergencies.
This helmet features an auditory protection system to reduce noise, Bluetooth capabilities, and a communication system enabling simultaneous connections for up to sixteen users at a distance of 600 meters.
Additionally, Endesa employs a remote-controlled vegetation-clearing machine to create clear corridors beneath its electrical lines.
Endesa has established protocols in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya to coordinate efforts for forest fire prevention and response.
The plan developed for the summer fire season includes disabling automatic reconnections for electrical lines located in areas deemed dangerous according to the Alfa Plan, instituted by rural agents to identify wildfire threats.
Endesa's technicians also engage directly on-site, coordinating with fire brigades and other agencies involved in fire suppression efforts.
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