Protection zone maintenance

In order to ensure a functioning electricity and gas supply, Elering carries out the following in its installations and installation protection zones:

• regular inspections to detect possible defects and assess vegetation growth;
• extraordinary inspections to detect malfunctions, both on foot, by machinery and by overflights;
• cutting back vegetation necessary for the maintenance of protection zones and the expansion of the line corridor within the protection zone (cutting trees and brush, etc.);
• scheduled maintenance and renovation work on installations (repair or replacement of wires or pipe sections, etc.);
• emergency work.

Expansion of the line corridor

The cutting of trees and brush necessary to expand the line corridor within the protection zone can be carried out by Elering or, under certain conditions, by the landowner.

To carry out the work on behalf of Elering, Elering organises a procurement to find a contractor. The contractor is obligated to carry out the work in accordance with good forestry practices and the agreement previously entered into between Elering and the landowner.

When performing work, the contractor is obligated to:

• inform the landowner of upcoming work and the estimated time of the work;
• mark the boundaries of the protection zone and the trees within the protection zone;
• estimate the volume of wood to be cut (cubic metres) and determine the area of forest land to be deforested (ha);
• organise the preparation of the necessary forest notifications together with the landowner;
• carry out extension work on the line corridor, which includes felling trees, thinning, cutting the assortment and transporting them to a location indicated by the landowner within the immovable;
• formalise the completion of the work with the landowner.

Elering pays for the work carried out by the landowner to expand the line corridor, and in order to carry out the work, the landowner must have entered into a prior contract with Elering. For work to be carried out by the landowner:

• the landowner must be a registered self-employed person if they perform the work themselves, or the work must be performed by an entrepreneur authorised by the landowner;
• Elering introduces the landowner to the possible hazards and safe working methods related to the work, the maximum price for payment for the work, and the terms and conditions of the contract;
• after entering into a contract, the landowner must apply to Elering for a permit to operate in the protection zone;
• the landowner, together with a representative of Elering, determines the volume of timber (cubic metres) if this has not been done during the forest assessment;
• the landowner formalises the transfer of completed works to Elering;
• Elering pays for the work performed in accordance with the submitted invoice and the terms and conditions of the contract.

Hazardous trees in the area adjacent to the protection zone for an overhead line

Although a protection zone has been designated to ensure the safety of the overhead line, very tall trees in the area adjacent to the protection zone outside the protection zone can also cause a dangerous situation. Here, Elering asks landowners to be very careful and cut down such trees to prevent danger.