In order to prevent power outages for customers, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids will clear 400 km of network routes in June

Thermal power generation14 June 2022

DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids has resumed cutting shrubs and tree branches along the overhead power lines that it had to suspend since the beginning of hostilities in the region. In June, the company plans to clear 400 km of routes, thus reducing risk of line breaks in the event of strong wind gusts. Simultaneously with these works, electricians will be fixing defects, detected on equipment, in order to prevent power outages for customers. Since the beginning of 2022, the company has already cleared and troubleshot more than 1,000 km of 0.4-6/10 kV overhead power line routes in the Kyiv region.

In order to prevent power outages for customers, DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids will clear 400 km of network routes in June

Most line breaks and outages during bad weather are caused by trees and branches falling on 0.4-6/10 kV lines. DTEK is a reliable and responsible company. Every year company’s specialists conduct large-scale work related to cutting of branches, in order to prevent power outages and maintain light and comfort in customers’ homes.

«Since the beginning of 2022 we have cleared 1,071 km of power lines. However, since February 24, hostilities in the Kyiv region made us suspend these works. Even after liberation of region’s communities from invaders we could not immediately resume them due to the possible mining of the line routes by the enemy. In order to perform these works safely, company’s specialists involve State Emergency Service and commence clearance after obtaining a permit from the sappers,” — notes the company.

The company also notes that DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids employees are not the only ones who should be involved in clearing routes from tree branches and overgrowth. According to the regulations, land owners and land users are responsible for preservation and proper care of green spaces. That is, residents of detached houses should prune trees and bushes in their own yards and backyards. Company’s specialists, in turn, perform scheduled pruning of trees that grow in the security zone of overhead power lines.

In order to ensure safety of employees, who prune trees along the lines, the company will temporarily de-energize the grid as per schedules, approved by local communities and civil-military administration.

Information about power cutoff is available via convenient services:

Viber and Telegram chatbot (or enter “DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids” in the search bar);
“Merezhi online” mobile application (download the application from AppStore or Google Play Market);
Facebook page;
call center (067/099/093) 495 70 40, (044) 459 07 40;

For reference: according to the “Grids protection rules” it is prohibited to plant trees under the power lines. In order to avoid emergencies, the company asks residents of the detached houses not to plant tall trees and to timely perform pruning near the lines. Land owners and users should clear green spaces if the distance from tree branches to the 0.4 kV line becomes less than 1 meter or if branches hang over the wires; if severe weather can make emergency trees fall and damage the grids — they should be pruned. To do that, the owner of a land plot should submit a de-energization request to DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids, agree on a time and only then prune the trees within the distance of at least one meter from the power line.

Responsibility of DTEK Kyiv Regional Grids is to de-energize the overhead lines as per the green space owners’ requests to ensure safe pruning of the trees. While the pruning itself is being carried out by the owner. Pruning should be carried out in an organized manner and in the time period clearly defined by the company. De-energization time is being determined for each section of the grids (settlement). During that period of time access is being granted to security areas of the 0.4 kV power lines, located at the territory of enterprises, establishments, organizations, household yards and farms. This is being done for the owners to be able to perform pruning near the power lines routes on their houses without risking their health and lives.