MP Power Company Installs Bird Guards to Prevent Power Failures

The Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company (MP Transco) has successfully eliminated bird-related power failures in the Vindhya region by installing custom-designed bird guards and excreta preventers on high-voltage transmission towers.

According to state Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar, the devices have been installed across hundreds of transmission towers in Rewa, Satna, and nearby districts, protecting local wildlife and ensuring uninterrupted electricity.

The bird flight diverters, bird guards, and bird excreta preventers have been installed on the towers of 132 kV and 220 kV transmission lines passing through bird-sensitive areas in Rewa, Satna, Panna, Sidhi, and Singrauli districts. This has reduced the tripping rate to almost zero, said Tomar.

In the past, around 20 trippings were recorded on transmission lines in the Rewa region due to birds in 2025-26. Following a technical analysis of these incidents, the power company decided to install bird guards and bird excreta preventers at vulnerable locations.

Since their implementation, bird-induced tripping incidents have been reduced to almost zero. The devices, designed to take into account local conditions and bird behavior, are proving effective.

Towers on transmission lines passing through forests and water bodies become nesting and perching sites for birds. Bird excrement can accumulate on insulator discs due to increased electrical conductivity during rain or high humidity, which can lead to flashovers and line tripping.

The bird guards are installed at the ends of tower crossarms, making it difficult for birds to perch and nest there. This arrangement also helps prevent monkeys from reaching the edge of the crossarm in some places.

Bird excreta preventers are installed on the upper part of disc insulators. If a bird sits on the tower's crossarm and defecates, the preventer prevents the excreta from accumulating directly on the insulator disc.

This significantly reduces the likelihood of the insulator's insulation capacity being compromised and resulting in tripping. Assistant Engineer Ajay Chaurasia took important initiatives based on a technical study of bird-induced tripping in the Vindhya region.

In the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh, MP Transco has installed 210 guards and 50 preventers on 470 towers of five 220 kV transmission lines with a total network length of 133.68 km. Similarly, 1,600 guards and 150 preventers are being installed on 1,530 towers of 15 132 kV transmission lines with a total network length of 440 km.

These measures aim to reduce bird-induced tripping while simultaneously protecting birds from contact with power lines, preventing their deaths and injuries, and promoting a safe environment for local wildlife.

The success of this initiative is a significant step towards ensuring uninterrupted power supply and protecting the environment in the Vindhya region. The use of custom-designed bird guards and excreta preventers has proven to be an effective solution to the problem of bird-related power failures, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem.

The implementation of these measures is a testament to the commitment of the Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company to providing reliable and efficient power supply while also protecting the environment. The company's efforts to reduce bird-induced tripping and promote a safe environment for local wildlife are commendable and set a good example for other power transmission companies to follow.

In conclusion, the installation of custom-designed bird guards and excreta preventers on high-voltage transmission towers in the Vindhya region has been a successful initiative in reducing bird-related power failures and protecting local wildlife. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the local ecosystem and ensure uninterrupted power supply to the region.