Last week, third parties endangered the electricity distribution network and facilities on several occasions in Berane and Podgorica, resulting in a power outage affecting part of the customer base in those municipalities.
On Thursday, 17 March, illegal logging along the route of the 10 kV “Dolac” overhead line in the Lubnice area of Berane Municipality caused a tree to fall and severed the line conductors, resulting in an interruption to the electricity supply in the area. Our teams repaired the fault caused by the irresponsible actions of individuals. However, at around 10 p.m. on Saturday, 19 March, illegal felling of tall spruce trees along the route of the same overhead line resulted in a tree falling, breaking a pole and severing the conductors of this power facility. Our teams had to switch off part of the “Lubnice-Jelovica” overhead line because of the fault. As the fault occurred in the evening, when working conditions were difficult due to reduced visibility, our teams replaced the broken pole and repaired the conductor on Sunday, 20 March. The line was then energised and a regular electricity supply to customers was restored.
The Berane Security Centre was informed of these incidents.
As we approach the time of year when better weather conditions favour such unlawful acts, we appeal to the public, especially local residents, to report to the competent authorities any suspicious activity or persons they notice along the routes of power facilities.
It should be noted that, in addition to the material damage CEDIS suffers as a result of such acts, our customers are also affected, as they are left without electricity until the damage is repaired—a process that can often take up to 48 hours.
We remind the public that any unauthorised activity along the route of, or on, an electricity facility is extremely risky. For negligible material gain, individuals risk their lives, disrupt the regular electricity supply and cause damage to the distribution system that far exceeds any potential benefit they might receive.
We have frequently informed the public recently about the problems caused by irresponsible investors who damage underground cables during construction works, causing faults on the distribution network and interruptions to customers’ electricity supply.
Two such interruptions occurred in Podgorica last Friday and Saturday. The first damage occurred on Friday, 18 March, in Kralja Nikole Street, when the company “Putevi d.o.o.” damaged a 10 kV cable between BTS “Petra Matovića” and TS “Solidarnost” while carrying out works. The interruption to customers’ electricity supply lasted an hour and a half. The second incident was recorded on Saturday, 19 March, in Stari Aerodrom, when the company “Tehnoput d.o.o.” damaged a 10 kV cable between MBTS “Stari Aerodrome 16” and TS “Stari Aerodrome 14”, leaving customers in part of Stari Aerodrom without electricity for one hour.
These incidents could be avoided if investors requested a plan of the installations from CEDIS, in accordance with the applicable procedures, before starting work. We note that CEDIS provides a register of underground installations in a timely manner to all entities that submit a request, and we call on everyone planning to start and carry out construction works to do so.
