In Asturias, the mugids, balids and whispers have become an unexpected ally of electricity. Under the towers and cables that transport the energy that illuminates homes and companies, now pasts the cattle. The recipe to keep the electricity lines clean no longer depends only on chainsaws or unbrids: nature occupies its place again.
Living Specifies. REDEIA – The Matrix Electricity Company, responsible for the transport and operation of the electrical system in Spain – has launched in Cabrales (Asturias) the program “Network grazing”. This initiative introduces the cattle in the safety halls of the electric lines. As reported by the company itself, there are eight livestock farms of Cabrales that have joined the agreement, contributing a total of 512 cows, 180 goats, 80 sheep and 23 horses. These animals will graze over 67.5 hectares of land located under the lines of Ortiguero, Asiego and Carreña, thus becoming biological hosts to maintain vegetation at bay.
One more complement. The project is added to the usual mechanical means. “The streets that run under the electricity lines must be clean and accessible, both to avoid fires and to prevent vegetation from reaching the laying of the electrical cables and ensure that, if necessary, maintenance equipment can arrive soon and solve any contingency,” said Laura Quintana, director of Sustainable Development of Redeia, in statements collected by the voice of Galicia. The grazing plan is designed and supervised by the Agrovidar company, which will also be in charge of evaluating the environmental results.
An effect with benefits. The previous experience in the Rioja and León has already shown results: it avoids the degradation of the ecosystem, increases soil fertility and favors the increase of more biodiversity, with the greatest presence of arthropods, butterflies, pollinators and floral units. In practice, these halls under the lines become ecological corridors that reduce habitat fragmentation.
In addition, the impact is not just environmental. The initiative reinforces the rural economy, provides income to local farmers, helps set population in mountain areas and preserves traditional knowledge: that of extensive livestock.
An increasingly practiced initiative. What happens in Cabrales is not an isolated case. The use of livestock as a maintenance tool makes its way in the world of energy. On the one hand, in Australia, a study in the Wellington Solar Park (174 MW) showed that the sheep that grass between the solar panels not only reduced maintenance costs, but also improved the quality of wool thanks to the diversity of fodder and the shadow.
On the other, in the United States, the so -called “Solar grazing” has transformed the lives of shepherds such as Jr Howard in Texas. Under Milam County panels – one of the world’s largest solar parks, with 1,600 hectares and 900 MW of power – 3,000 sheep perform the work of natural clearing. Howard’s business went from being small to have 8,000 animals and 27 employees.
The shared soil. In Cabrales, the energy of the future walks on the footprints of an ancient knowledge. Between mugids and balids, Asturias demonstrates that coexistence between technology and nature is not only possible, but necessary. Where there were unbrokenness before, now it is cows, goats, sheep and horses who keep alive the balance between electricity, environment and rural life.
Imagen | Freepik
WorldOfSoftware | Texas installed millions of solar panels in rural terrain. To keep it they have had to hire 3,000 sheep
