Hotline of power engineering specialists:
This year, as part of the clearing of ROWs along overhead power lines from trees and shrubs, IDGC of Centre - Tverenergo division plans to clear 4,421.76 hectares of ROWs. In 2014 Tver power engineers completed the annual program, actually having cleared 4,797.7 hectares of vegetation - the largest volume among all IDGC of Centre’s branches. Tverenergo with its own forces plans to clear 1,760.45 ha, with the help of contractors - 2,661.31 ha.
The branch uses three basic ways of clearing ROWs of trees and shrubs - chemical, mechanized and manual. Using the chemical method of clearing can reduce the clearing frequency from 4 to 6 years. In 2015 it is planned to clear 1,544.57 hectares of ROWs along 6-110 kV Conductors with the chemical method in 18 districts of the region.
Mechanized clearing is performed using special equipment. The volume of such clearing in the current year will amount to 971.86 ha. In 2015 the power engineers will be to clear with the manual method about 1,905.33 hectares of ROWs along power lines.
The branch also is implementing its long-term program to expand ROWs along overhead lines of 6-110 kV. In 2015 it is planned to expand 116.56 hectares of ROWs.
"Work on clearing and extension of ROWs along power lines, as well as cutting standing alone trees and shrubs in preparation for the autumn-winter operation period are of particular importance. Such measures can significantly reduce the risk of failures and allow to ensure reliable operation of the electric grid complex during peak periods," stressed Deputy General Director of IDGC of Centre - Tverenergo division director Mikhail Pilavov.