In January 2009, Terna and WWF signed 
a three year memorandum of Understanding for a sustainable development of the electricity grid. The focus is twofold:
- Reduction of the environmental impact of the large electricity transmission lines;
- Biodiversity Protection.
In Italy this is the first agreement signed by the WWF with a leading company in the country’s major infrastructures. The agreement intends to integrate environmental criteria in the planning phase of electricity grid development and harmonize these activities with the conservation strategies promoted by the organization for the conservation of nature.
Furthermore, the agreement provides for action to be undertaken in three protected areas, with distinct objectives according to the project:
In December 2010, Terna and WWF signed a second agreement: the agreement regarding the implementation of an Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of the National Transmission Grid. Two are the areas involved, both of high environmental value: the Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Calabria Region and Basilicata Region) and the Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso-Monti della Laga (Abruzzo Region).
In the nature reserve
WWF Oasis Padule Orti Bottagone, located in the province of Livorno, close to a power plant, Terna’s action aims at :
- Improving the area’s nature potential, by monitoring its vegetation and wildlife;
- Developing infrastructures for the logistic support and management of visits.
In doing this, Terna is aware of operating in a highly manmade context with a strong and varied wildlife identity: for some years, the company has been actively involved in mitigating the impact of its activities, proposing projects for environmental improvement.
The nature conservation area of local interest
WWF Oasis Stagni di Focognano is located in the province of Florence, in the vicinity of the A1 Highway and a landfill site with a composting plant. Terna intends to
reduce the impact of the two high voltage electricity lines that cross the territory: these lines can indeed potentially disturb the birds.
To minimize the bird’s
collision risk with conductors and pylons, Terna has installed anti-collision coils on the ground wires. Furthermore it initiated a
monitoring program that provides for the installation of artificial nests and webcams for more complete information on the birds present at the Oasis.
In the oriented nature reserve
WWF Oasis of Torre Salsa, in the province of Agrigento, Terna’s project has the goal of
improving the structures for:
- Nature tourism;
- Educational activities;
- Scientific research.
Terna wants to restore the conditions of some specific alterations,
restraining the impact of human activities. This target includes:
reconstruction of the fences and external works;
installation of closed circuit television cameras
the design of a tensile structure and a vantage point for bird watching and studying.