DTEK Dnipro Grids has cleared more than 5 thousand km of lines from trees to avoid blackouts

Thermal power generation20 January 2021

At a time of bad weather, falling trees and branches coming in contact with wires become the main cause of line breaks and shutdowns. To prevent potential accidents, DTEK Dnipro Grids consistently prunes trees and clears lines from potentially dangerous branches and dead wood. During 2020, more than 5 thousand kilometers of power grids were cleared in Dnipro and across the region. This reduces the risk of line breaks, especially in strong wind gusts, and helps avoid blackouts for customers.

DTEK serves the interests of Ukraine, takes care of its customers and does everything to ensure that their homes always have light, warmth and comfort. When inspecting the lines, the company identifies potentially dangerous areas. Special attention is paid to localities. Therefore, during the year, almost 240 km of medium and low voltage lines in Dnipro and 223 km in Kryvyi Rih were cleared of dangerous branches. Residents of the city of Nikopol, as well as the villages of Bondarevo, Khutoro-Chaplino, Volchansky and others, also have the lines cleared from the growing green spaces. By clearing the overhead lines, we prevent the potential for trees and branches coming in contact with wires, and thus we ensure a reliable power supply to customers.

In total, 5,116 kilometers of overhead lines were cleared in Dnipropetrovsk Region in 2020. 3,233 km of them are of low voltage 0.4 kV. Another 1784 km are 6-10 kV highways. The rest are high-voltage lines of 35 kV and 110-150 kV, and the power supply of entire cities and regions depends on them. By the end of January, it is planned to clear more than 400 km of lines. A short video review of how the work is done in winter can be seen here.

According to the Rules for the protection of electrical networks, it is prohibited to plant trees under power lines. In order to avoid blackouts, the company urges residents of the private sectors not to plant tall trees, as well as timely prune them near the lines.

If the branches are too close to the wires, you can apply through:

Your Account;
Feedback form on the site;
Private messages on Facebook;
By phone at056/066/067 790 99 00 (24/7);

If you want to cut branches within the territory of your household on your own, you can apply for a voltage cut-off for the work through the above remote channels. You will receive an invoice to pay for the line disconnection/connection service, and then agree on the date and time. Trees should be cut within a radius of at least 1 meter from the power line.

Now DTEK Dnipro Grids also offers an additional service, thanks to which customers can use the company's truck crane or lift for pruning trees or other work requiring the use of special equipment. You can request it through your account or through other communication channels convenient for you.