Estonian distribution grid operator signs EUR 3.2 mln maintenance contracts

Photo: Peeter Langovits

The Estonian distribution grid operator Elektrilevi of the state-owned Eesti Energia group has concluded two-year contracts worth a total of 3.2 million euros with 10 partner companies for the maintenance of protection zones alongside the route of overhead power lines.

To clear power line corridors of brush and trees, 20 contracts were signed in areas covering about a half of Estonian territory where contracts ran out this year, Elektrilevi said. Previous contracts stay in effect in the remaining 11 areas.

The public procurement tenders for maintenance works attracted bids from 21 companies of which 17 qualified. Two-year contracts with an option to extend them by one year were signed with Ferrus, Estwood, Liinihoolduse Varad, Micromat, Armo Teenus, Laminert, Amalaia, Well Tehnoloogia, Segesment and TarJo Invest.

Around 15,000 kilometers of the 61,000-kilometer network of Elektrilevi is situated in wooded areas. The company clears approximately 3,000 kilometers of corridors a year and the new contracts cover about a half of that amount.

«We made several changes when organizing the new tenders. We formed 20 areas instead of the previous 10 to facilitate participation of smaller companies for which too big a territory may have been an obstacle previously. The bigger competition and a more favorable price justified the move,» head of the maintenance department Indrek Sild said.

The tenders attracted bids from abroad as well, one of the successful bidders was a Latvian company, he added.

Elektrilevi maintains more than 22,000 substations. The company invested 100 million euros in the network last year and this year's investments are planned at 112 million euros.