The Electricity Authority of Cyprus carries out a series of actions each year, according to a predefined schedule, to prevent any unpleasant situations from arising:
- ➤ The Transmission Network, i.e., the high-voltage network (large transmission towers), is inspected annually. Any trees encroaching on the power lines are pruned as necessary, and the insulators are also cleaned to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the network.
- ➤ Inspections are carried out across the entire Distribution Network, namely the medium- and low-voltage network. During these inspections, any issues identified are recorded and subsequently rectified through scheduled power outages.
- ➤ Within forest and forest-adjacent areas, a maintenance programme is in place for all EAC network equipment across all districts. In coordination with the Department of Forests, all maintenance works within forest land are completed by the end of June each year.
- ➤ Dry vegetation beneath overhead transformers is cleared on a regular basis.
In addition to the measures outlined above, cooperation from all stakeholders is essential, including private citizens, Municipalities, Communities, the District Administration, the Department of Forests, the Fire Service, and the EAC.
Our priority is to minimise the risk of fires being caused by the EAC network. To this end, and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Forests, the Game and Fauna Service, and the Civil Aviation Department:
- ✦ All new network extensions within forested areas are constructed using covered conductors.
- ✦ At high-risk locations, bare conductors are replaced with covered ones, or the route of the network is relocated to more accessible locations.
- ✦ Power lines are being placed underground in forested areas where the required infrastructure exists (as in the Stavros tis Psokas area).
- ✦ Special insulating covers and bird diverters are installed to safeguard and preserve wild bird populations.
- ✦ Systematic maintenance works are carried out within and outside forested areas.
In addition, EAC:
- ✓ Has procured drones and established dedicated teams to carry out inspections in hard-to-access areas
- ✓ Has donated firefighting vehicles to the Department of Forests to provide immediate support in the event of a fire.
In cases where tree branches are approaching or coming into contact with power lines, the public may submit a pruning request through the following channels:
- The EAC website.
- The call centre on 1800 (option 3).
- The EAC Mobile App where, with the geolocation service enabled, anyone can submit a photograph, so that the location requiring EAC’s intervention may be immediately identified
