Rules for the protection of electrical networks with voltages over 1000 volts have been approved in the Kyrgyz Republic

Rules for the protection of electrical networks with voltages over 1000 volts have been approved. This is stated in the order of the Ministry of Energy dated July 14, 2023 No. 01-13/146.

The order comes into force after 15 days  from August 3 - the date of official publication. Published in the Erkin-Too newspaper dated July 18, 2023 No. 57 (3506).

Rules for the protection of electrical networks with voltages over 1,000 Volts

1. These Rules are introduced in order to ensure the safety of electrical networks with a voltage of more than 1,000 Volts, create safe operating conditions for these networks, prevent accidents and are applied in the design, construction and operation of electrical networks with a voltage of more than 1,000 Volts, as well as in the performens of work and implementation other activities near electrical networks.

For the purposes of these Rules, electrical networks with a voltage of over 1,000 Volts (hereinafter referred to as electrical networks) mean substations, switchgears, current conductors, overhead power lines, underground and underwater cable power lines and related structures.

Protection of electrical networks is carried out by enterprises (organizations) in charge of these electrical networks.

2. To ensure safety, create safe operating conditions for electrical networks and prevent accidents, security zones are established, the minimum allowable distances from electrical networks to buildings, structures, earth and water surfaces, clearings are laid in forests and green spaces.

3. Land plots for the period of construction and operation of electrical networks are allocated in accordance with the established procedure in accordance with the land legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

4. For safety and trouble-free maintenance along power lines, the following are installed:

1) security zones along overhead power lines in the form of a land plot and airspace bounded by vertical planes spaced on both sides of the line from the outermost wires with their position not deviated at a distance:

for lines with a voltage of 1 - 20 kilovolts inclusive - 10 meters;

for lines with voltage up to 35 kilovolts inclusive - 15 meters;

for lines with voltage up to 110 kilovolts inclusive - 20 meters;

for lines with voltage up to 220 kilovolts inclusive - 25 meters;

for lines with voltage up to 500 kilovolts inclusive - 30 meters;

for cable lines above 1,000 Volts, 1 meter on each side of the outermost cables;

2) horizontal distances in populated areas from the extreme wires of overhead power lines, with their greatest deviation, to the nearest parts of production, storage, administrative and public buildings and structures must be at least:

for lines with voltage up to 20 kilovolts inclusive - 2 meters;

for lines with a voltage of 35 - 110 kilovolts inclusive - 4 meters;

for lines with voltage up to 220 kilovolts inclusive - 6 meters;

for lines with voltage up to 500 kilovolts inclusive - 10 meters;

3) to the nearest parts of industrial, warehouse, administrative and public buildings and structures (except for power plants and substations) with the wires not deviated 30 meters - for overhead power lines 500 kilovolts;

4) the distance from the deflected wires of overhead power lines located along the streets, in forests,  parks and gardens, to trees, as well as to the suspension cables of road signs, must be at least:

up to 20 kilovolts - 3 meters;

for lines with a voltage of 35 - 110 kilovolts inclusive - 4 meters;

for lines with a voltage of 220 kilovolts - 5 meters;

for lines with a voltage of 500 kilovolts - 6 meters.

The passage of overhead power lines through the territories of stadiums, educational and children's institutions is not allowed;

5) along underground cable transmission lines in the form of a land plot bounded by vertical planes spaced on both sides of the line from the outermost cables at a distance of 1 meter;

6) along submarine cable power lines in the form of a body of water from the water surface to the bottom, bounded by vertical planes spaced on both sides of the line from the outermost cables at a distance of 100 meters;

7) along the crossings of overhead power lines through water bodies (rivers, canals, lakes and others) in the form of air space above the water surface of water bodies, limited by vertical planes spaced on both sides of the line from the outermost wires, with their position not deviated for navigable water bodies at a distance of 100 meters, for non-navigable water bodies at a distance provided for the establishment of security zones along overhead power lines.

5. Field agricultural work in the security zones of overhead power lines is carried out by land users with prior written notification of enterprises (organizations) in charge of these lines.

The notice specifies the nature of the work and the approximate time frame.

To determine the ownership of overhead power transmission lines, land users send a request to the authorized state body that performs the functions of developing and implementing state policy in the field of the fuel and energy complex, as well as state control and supervision of compliance with legislation in the energy sector.

The authorized state body exercising the functions of developing and implementing state policy in the field of the fuel and energy complex, as well as state control and supervision of compliance with legislation in the field of energy, is obliged to send information to land users about the ownership of overhead power lines within five working days from receipt of the request.

6. On the lands allocated for the placement of overhead power lines, work related to temporary flooding of lands (construction of hydroelectric power stations, reservoirs and irrigation systems, sanitary releases of water and soil washing, irrigation of crops) is carried out by agreement between land users and enterprises (organizations), in charge of these lines.

The ownership of overhead power lines is determined in accordance with the third paragraph of clause 5 of these Rules.

To coordinate the work, the land user sends a written application to the enterprise (organization) in charge of the overhead power lines, indicating the nature of the work and approximate terms.

Enterprises (organizations), which are in charge of overhead power lines, are obliged, within five working days from the date of receipt of the application, to coordinate with the land user the work specified in paragraph one of this paragraph, or send a reasoned refusal.

The refusal of enterprises (organizations) in charge of electric networks to issue a written consent to carry out the work provided for in this paragraph in the security zones of electric networks may be appealed in the prescribed manner.

Coordination is considered completed upon receipt of a positive response from the enterprise (organization) in charge of overhead power lines.

7. The minimum allowable distances from electrical networks to buildings, structures and tree and shrub plantations, as well as from wires of overhead power lines to the earth and water surfaces are subject to mandatory observance in the design and construction of buildings and structures, when planting, pruning and cutting down trees and shrubs .

8. Along the overhead power lines and along the perimeter of substations and switchgears located in forest areas, in parks and gardens, clearings are laid in accordance with subparagraph 4 of paragraph 4 of these Rules.

9. When passing overhead power lines through forests, pruning of trees growing in close proximity to the wires is carried out by enterprises (organizations) in charge of these lines. When they pass through parks, gardens and other perennial plantations, pruning of trees is carried out by enterprises (organizations) that manage overhead power lines, and by mutual agreement - by enterprises, organizations and institutions that have these plantations on their balance sheet, or by citizens - owners of gardens and other perennial plantations in the manner determined by the enterprise (organization) in charge of the power lines.

10. Types of work in the security zones of electrical networks, which are carried out with the written consent of enterprises (organizations) in charge of electrical networks:

1) construction, overhaul, reconstruction or demolition of any buildings and structures;

2) all kinds of mining, loading and unloading, dredging, blasting, land reclamation, planting and cutting down trees and shrubs, deploying field camps, arranging cattle pens, constructing wire fences, installing trellises for vineyards and orchards, as well as manufacturing irrigation of agricultural crops;

3) catching fish and other aquatic animals and plants with bottom fishing gear, arranging watering places, chopping and harvesting ice (in protected areas of underwater cable power lines);

4) passage of vehicles and mechanisms having a total height with or without cargo from the road surface of more than 4.5 meters (in the security zones of overhead power lines);

5) earthworks (development, movement, laying and compaction of soil) at a depth of more than 0.3 meters, and on plowed lands - at a depth of more than 0.45 meters, as well as soil leveling (in the security zones of underground cable power lines).

To coordinate the work specified in subparagraphs 1-5 of this paragraph, the land user sends a written application to the enterprise (organization) in charge of the overhead power lines, indicating the nature of the work and approximate terms.

The ownership of electrical networks is determined in accordance with the third paragraph of clause 5 of these Rules.

Enterprises (organizations) in charge of overhead power lines are obliged, within 5 working days from the date of receipt of the application, to coordinate the work specified in paragraph one of this paragraph by the land user, or send a reasoned refusal to the land user.

Coordination is considered completed upon receipt within five working days of a positive response from the enterprise (organization) in charge of overhead power lines.

Legal entities and individuals who have received a written consent to conduct the specified work in the security zones of electrical networks are required to perform them in compliance with the conditions that ensure the safety of these networks.

The refusal of enterprises (organizations) in charge of electric networks to issue a written consent to carry out the work provided for in this paragraph in the security zones of electric networks may be appealed in the prescribed manner.

11. Enterprises (organizations) in charge of power transmission lines are obliged to provide enterprises, organizations, institutions and individuals with instructions for the safe performance of work within the security zones of power transmission lines.

2. In the security zones of electric networks, it is prohibited to perform any actions that may disrupt the safe operation of electric networks, lead to their damage or accidents, in particular:

1) place gas stations and other storages of fuels and lubricants;

2) unauthorized persons to be on the territory and in the premises of electric grid facilities, open doors and hatches of electric grid facilities, make switching and connections in electric networks;

3) clutter up entrances and approaches to electrical network facilities;

4) throw foreign objects on wires, supports and bring foreign objects closer to them, as well as climb onto supports;

5) arrange all kinds of dumps (in the security zones of electrical networks and near them);

6) store feed, fertilizers, straw, peat, firewood and other materials, make a fire (in the security zones of overhead power lines);

7) arrange sports grounds, playgrounds, stadiums, markets, public transport stops, parking of all types of machines and mechanisms, hold any events associated with a large crowd of people who are not engaged in the performance of work permitted in the established manner (in the security zones of overhead lines power lines);

8) fly kites, sports models of aircraft, including unguided ones (in the security zones of overhead power lines and near them);

9) make a stop of all types of transport, except for railway (in the security zones of overhead power lines with a voltage of 500 kilovolts);

10) perform work with impact mechanisms, drop weights weighing more than 5 tons, discharge and drain caustic and corrosive substances and fuels and lubricants (in the security zones of underground cable power lines and near them).

13. Flights of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, other use of airspace above and near electrical networks, as well as design, construction and operation of electrical networks must be carried out in accordance with the legislation governing the use of the airspace of the Kyrgyz Republic.

14. Enterprises, organizations and institutions that carry out explosive, construction and other work near the security zones of electrical networks, which may cause damage to them, are obliged not later than 12 days before the start of work to coordinate with the enterprises (organizations) in charge of electrical networks, conditions and procedure for carrying out these works, ensuring the safety of electrical networks, and take appropriate measures.

15. Enterprises, organizations and institutions that perform work that necessitate the reorganization of electrical networks or protect them from damage are obliged to perform work on the reconstruction or protection of networks at their own expense in agreement with the enterprises (organizations) in charge of electrical networks.

The use of overhead power transmission line supports for suspension of lines for other purposes (fiber-optic communication lines, etc.) is carried out on the basis of a lease agreement with an enterprise (organization) in charge of electric networks.

16. During the construction of irrigation and collector-drainage canals, the arrangement of trellises for vineyards and orchards, and the performance of other works, entrances to electrical networks must be preserved.

17. In the design and estimate documentation for the construction, overhaul, reconstruction of buildings and structures near which electrical networks are located, measures must be taken to ensure the safety of electrical networks. These measures are subject to agreement with the enterprises (organizations) in charge of the electrical networks.

18. The design and estimate documentation for the construction, overhaul, reconstruction of facilities that may be a source of pollution or corrosion of electrical networks must provide for measures to limit pollution and corrosion, or the removal of electrical networks from the pollution (corrosion) zone.

19. Enterprises, organizations and institutions whose production activities cause pollution or corrosion of electrical networks are obliged to take measures to limit the pollution and corrosion of electrical networks, regardless of the departmental affiliation of these networks.

20. Materials of the actual location of power transmission lines, drawn up in accordance with the established procedure, must be transferred to the executive bodies of local self-government for their application to the relevant land use maps.

21. Enterprises (organizations) in charge of cable transmission lines under construction or operating, must take measures to protect these lines from stray currents.

22. If the security zone of the power line coincides with the right of way of railways or highways, the security zones of pipelines, communication lines, other power lines and other facilities, work related to the operation of these facilities on the coinciding sections of the territories is carried out by interested enterprises, organizations and institutions according to agreement between them.

23. Employees of enterprises (organizations) in charge of electric networks are granted the right of unhindered access in accordance with the established procedure to network facilities located on the territory of other enterprises, organizations and institutions for their repair and maintenance.

24. Enterprises (organizations) in charge of electrical networks located on clearings passing through forests are obliged to:

1) keep clearings in a fireproof condition;

2) maintain the width of the clearings in the sizes provided for by the projects for the construction of electrical networks, by cutting down trees (shrubs) in the clearings and in other ways;

3) cut down in the prescribed manner trees growing outside the glades and threatening to fall on wires or supports;

4) cut down or trim trees whose height exceeds 4 meters on clearings used for growing trees and shrubs.

25. In order to prevent accidents and eliminate their consequences on power lines, enterprises (organizations) operating these lines are required to obtain from the owner of the forest fund plots or shelterbelts a logging ticket for felling individual trees in forests and shelterbelts adjacent to the routes of these lines, and compensate for the damage caused to the forest fund in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

26. Enterprises (organizations) in charge of power lines are allowed to carry out earthworks (development, movement, laying and compaction of soil) and other work necessary for the repair of power lines in the security zones of these lines.

27. Planned repair and reconstruction of power lines passing through agricultural land are carried out in agreement with land users and, as a rule, during the period when these land are not occupied by agricultural crops or when it is possible to ensure the safety of these crops.

Works to prevent accidents or eliminate their consequences on power lines can be carried out at any time of the year without the consent of the land user, but with notification of the ongoing work.

After the performance of the above works, the enterprises (organizations) in charge of the power transmission lines must bring the land into a condition suitable for their intended use, as well as compensate land users for losses caused during the work. Losses of land users are determined and compensated in accordance with the established procedure.

Scheduled work on the repair and reconstruction of cable power lines that cause violation of the road surface can be carried out only after prior agreement on the conditions for their implementation with departments of the internal affairs bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic and enterprises, organizations and institutions in charge of roads, and within cities and other settlements - also with the executive bodies of local self-government. The terms of the work must be agreed no later than three days before the start of work.

In urgent cases, it is allowed to carry out work on the repair of cable power lines that cause violation of the road surface, without prior agreement, but after notifying the departments of the internal affairs bodies and enterprises, organizations and institutions in charge of these roads, and within cities and other settlements - also local authorities.

Enterprises (organizations) that perform these works must arrange detours and fences at the place of work and install appropriate road signs, and after completion of the work, level the ground and restore the road surface.

With the consent of enterprises, organizations and institutions in charge of motor roads, work to eliminate damage caused to roads can be carried out by these enterprises, organizations and institutions at the expense of enterprises (organizations) in charge of cable power lines.

28. Enterprises, organizations and institutions engaged in excavation work (development, movement, laying and compaction of soil), upon detection of a cable not specified in the technical documentation for the production of work, are obliged to immediately stop these works, take measures to ensure the safety of the cable and report this nearest enterprise (organization) in charge of electric networks, another energy enterprise or executive bodies of local self-government.

Limited purpose use of a land plot in the form of an obligation to immediately stop land work is subject to state registration in the unified state register.

29. Enterprises, organizations, institutions and citizens in the security zones of electrical networks and near them are obliged to comply with the requirements of employees of enterprises (organizations) in charge of electrical networks, aimed at ensuring the safety of electrical networks and preventing accidents. Enterprises (organizations) in charge of electric networks have the right to suspend work performed by other enterprises, organizations, institutions or citizens in the security zones of these networks in violation of the requirements of these Rules.

30. Executive bodies of local self-government, as well as internal affairs bodies, are obliged to assist enterprises (organizations) in charge of electric networks in preventing accidents and eliminating their consequences in electric networks, as well as ensuring that all enterprises, organizations, institutions and citizens comply with requirements of these Rules.

31. Officials and citizens guilty of violating the requirements of these Rules are held accountable in accordance with the Code of the Kyrgyz Republic on Offenses.