Supporting biodiversity around Avesta Power Station
Various measures have been implemented to further improve the area surrounding Avesta Hydropower Station, to enhance living conditions for butterflies, wild bee species and insects.
The biodiversity project, undertaken by Fortum and Municipality of Avesta, is moving forward. In May 2021, a controlled burn was conducted in the area and an inventory of the site was carried out over the summer. A number of interesting species of plants, butterflies and wild bees were identified.
To make the area even more attractive for wild bees and other insects, several promising measures were implemented in the area in November. As most wild bee species do not build nests in holes in trees, but instead burrow in sand, a sand bed was created on the sunny, south-facing slope. Creating supportive habitat which gives wild bees a place to lay their eggs close to the kinds of plants they like.
“It’s great to help the wild bees find a home, as there seems to be a housing shortage for bees, too,” says Katarina Erelöf, Environmental Coordinator for Fortum.
Pussy willows flower in early spring with their furry catkins. Bumble bees, wild bees and other insects benefit from these flowers at a time when there is not much else for them to eat. The area around the pussy willows growing on the slope was also cleared to give them more space and make it easier for wild bee species to access their nectar.
The trees that were cleared during the course of the project will be left there as dead wood to provide homes for other insects. A habitat pile was also built. It will look like a bit of a mess to start with, but it will soon become a ‘residential area’ and pantry for all kinds of bugs and insects.
“The Municipality of Avesta is experienced in building habitat piles. It’s great that we can create this kind of thing together on Fortums land as well,” says Peter Klintberg, Municipal Ecologist at the Municipality of Avesta.
Fortum strives to reduce the environmental impact of our enterprise while at the same time delivering power and heating to private homes, businesses, and the public sector. Hydropower does not emit any greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and is therefore good from a climate perspective. On the other hand, there is local environmental impact in all electricity production. It is for this reason that we participate in several different environmental projects at our power plants. Such efforts are underway in Avesta.
Environmental projects
At Fortum we actively implement environmental projects within hydropower.
