How can wildlife impact substation operations?

Wildlife can significantly impact substation operations by causing faults or equipment damage. This can occur in several ways. For instance, animals such as birds and squirrels are known to interact with electrical equipment, which can lead to short circuits or other electrical faults. When wildlife comes into contact with high-voltage components, it can create a path for electricity, leading to outages or equipment failures. Additionally, nesting activity can obstruct ventilation or access points, compromising the integrity and functionality of the equipment.

In contrast, while there may be arguments regarding wildlife contributing positively to insulation or enhancing biodiversity, these benefits do not directly address operational impacts like faults or equipment damage, which directly affect the reliability and safety of substation operations.