Applying for permission to work in a protected zone

The permission of the line owner is always necessary when working in the protected zone of a power line. Uncoordinated forestry, excavation and transport work in the immediate vicinity of power lines endangers both the lives and health of workers. When planning these works, be sure to contact us in advance to determine if there is any overhead line, cable or substation owned by Elektrilev in the area.

Authorization to operate in the protection zone

An application must be submitted to co-ordinate the activities in the protection zone.In the case of an emergency works, attach a diagram or drawing to the application, indicating the area of work.

In case of planned works, the project or drawing must be coordinated in advance with Elektrilevi. Please attach the appropriate approval number and date to the application.

Unless the project coordination requires summoning a representative, no application for authorization to operate in the protection zone is required.

To coordinate oversized cargo, submit an application form to the Road Administration by e-mail.

Send the application at least 10 days before you start any work

Submit an application

What is a protected zone and how far does it reach from a power line or substation?

The protected zone of the power network or a substation is a land area and airspace around the power line or substation where many activities are restricted for safety purposes.

Coordination of activities

Based on your submitted request, we can specify the distance of overhead lines, cables or other equipment belonging to Elektrilev from the location of the works.

How much does it cost?

Pinpointing the location of Elektrilevi's power cable(s)

84.00 €

Price includes up to 1 hour of on-site activity

Coordinating the activities carried out in the protected area of an electric network or substation

21.60 € / per project

Please apply at least 10 working days before the planned work starts

Additional information on coordination

Northern region

Tallinn, Harjumaa, Pärnu, Pärnumaa, Saaremaa ja Hiiumaa

[email protected]
465 4600

Southern region

Raplamaa, Järvamaa, Lääne-Virumaa, Jõhvi, Ida-Virumaa, Jõgevamaa, Tartu, Tartumaa, Põlvamaa, Valgamaa, Võrumaa, Viljandimaa

[email protected]
465 4500

Coordination of activities

If the planned work interferes with the protected zone of an overhead line, substation or other electrical installation, a representative of Elektrilevi shall explain the scope of the protection zone, applicable restrictions, safety requirements and responsibility for the maintenance of the electrical installation and issue a work permit.

In the case of work in the protection zone of an overhead line, substation or other electrical installation, the contractor shall be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the electrical installation. The owner of the electrical installation has the right to claim reasonable expenses, if the execution of the works entails expenses for the maintenance of the electrical installation.

If the works are carried out outside the protection zone, no permission from Elektrilevi is required.

Eraldi luba kaevetöödeks

Scheduled works require that technical designs or drawings have prior approval from Elektrilevi. Unscheduled work requires a plan or a technical drawing with the precise work area attached to the application.

If the coordination of a project does not require indicating the location of the cables, our permission is also not necessary. If there is a power cable on the site or in the vicinity, someone from Elektrilevi will come and mark the location of the cables on the site and clarify the extent of the protected zone, the limitations in force, the safety requirements and your responsibility for making sure that the electrical system remains undamaged, and will then issue the permit for your work.

Digging work must not damage the electrical installation. The owner of the electrical system has the right to demand reasonable compensation for any expenses incurred.

If you have no cables on your property that belong to us, we still recommend specifying the location of your own or third party power cables before you start digging work; for example, when laying new water piping. To do that, you can ask us to locate the electrical cables on your property.Read more »

What is a protected zone and how far does it reach from a power line or substation?

Description of a protected zone	Line voltage	Reach of the protected zone
The reach of the protected zone of an overhead line on each side of the line axis	up to 1 kV	2 m
	1 to 35 kV	3 m (when using an overhead cable)
	1 to 35 kV	10 m
	35 kV to 110 kV	25 m
The protected zone of an underground cable line from the outermost cables of the underground cable line		1 m
The protected zone of substations and switchyards from the fence, wall or the substation or switchgear if there is no fence or wall		2 m

In the protected zone of a power network, it is prohibited to do the following without permission
build anything store waste, materials or substances build petrol stations carry out any mining, loading, dredging, blasting, flooding, irrigation or land improvement work light a fire plant or fell trees
With underground cable lines	use percussive machinery level the surface dig deeper than 0.3 metres, or 0.45 metres in ploughed land store or transport heavy loads
with high-voltage overhead power lines	build fences or wire fences build drinking places for animals
With overhead power lines	drive machinery or vehicles with a normal height above ground, loaded or unloaded, of more than 4.5 metres
With underwater electrical cables	cast anchor from a boat move any anchor, chain, log or trawl net or other net install direction signs and buoys for water traffic store ice