Good practices
Good practices

Publication

Five new factsheets on onshore energy & nature best practices

Publication

Topic

Nature conservation & restoration

Published 13 January 2026

With these factsheets on onshore energy & nature, RGI details the history, development and success factors of certain aspects of nature protection alongside power lines in 5 EU countries – Austria, Czechia, Portugal, Spain and Slovakia. 

Which countries are doing particularly well at protecting nature around power lines? What are the factors and conditions which enable certain actors to do more for nature alongside around power lines? How do Finance, Public Engagement, Legislation & Policy and Data & Monitoring play a role in safeguarding nature and boosting biodiversity alongside electricity infrastructure?  

Each fact sheet is a summary of extensive interviews & research into case studies regarding nature-friendly development and operation of power lines, with a focus on bird protection and integrated vegetation management. 

Our hope is that by sharing detailed information into each case study, stakeholders will be able to learn from other experiences and replicate the good work done elsewhere in Europe. 

These factsheets will be accompanied by a social media campaign under the hashtag #ChampionofChange in early 2026.  

Download the factsheets

Factsheet Austria

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Factsheet Czechia

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Factsheet Portugal

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Factsheet Spain

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Factsheet Slovakia

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contact

Manon Thiel

Manager – Energy and Nature

Manon Thiel

Manager – Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11034
Manon joined RGI in 2022. She is currently working as a Manager in the Energy and Nature team and is in charge of the SafeLines4Birds project. Prior to RGI, Manon worked as an ecologist in a consulting office in Berlin, engaged in the protection of bat populations in Europe in the context of onshore wind energy projects. She also worked on diverse projects in Africa, particularly in the protection and conservation of African mammals. Manon holds a Master’s degree in Biodiversity conservation from Université de Perpignan in France and completed her Master’s thesis in South Africa.

Mara Zainea

Manager – Communication

Mara Zainea

Manager – Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11031
Mara joined the Renewables Grid Initiative in 2021. Her main responsibilities at RGI encompass communications and media work as well as event management. She previously worked as a training coordinator at the Center for International Peace Operations in Berlin and at the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) within the European University Institute. At the FSR she was also responsible for donor relations and policy events. Mara studied in Sibiu (Romania), Salzburg (Austria) and Berlin (Germany) and holds degrees in German and English Philology (BA) and Arts and Media Administration (MA).

Manon Thiel

Manager – Energy and Nature

Manon Thiel

Manager – Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11034
Manon joined RGI in 2022. She is currently working as a Manager in the Energy and Nature team and is in charge of the SafeLines4Birds project. Prior to RGI, Manon worked as an ecologist in a consulting office in Berlin, engaged in the protection of bat populations in Europe in the context of onshore wind energy projects. She also worked on diverse projects in Africa, particularly in the protection and conservation of African mammals. Manon holds a Master’s degree in Biodiversity conservation from Université de Perpignan in France and completed her Master’s thesis in South Africa.

Mara Zainea

Manager – Communication

Mara Zainea

Manager – Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11031
Mara joined the Renewables Grid Initiative in 2021. Her main responsibilities at RGI encompass communications and media work as well as event management. She previously worked as a training coordinator at the Center for International Peace Operations in Berlin and at the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) within the European University Institute. At the FSR she was also responsible for donor relations and policy events. Mara studied in Sibiu (Romania), Salzburg (Austria) and Berlin (Germany) and holds degrees in German and English Philology (BA) and Arts and Media Administration (MA).