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Work near power lines

If you want to operate machinery or undertake other work in close proximity to Top Energy’s power lines or other electrical equipment, you need consent to ensure the work is conducted safely, and to avoid any costly damage to the electricity cables.

Approving your Close Approach Consent will take a minimum of 10 working days. Complex jobs may take longer. Additional time may be required to arrange for outages or other safety management arrangements to be scheduled.

Due to a high volume of applications for wood lot and forest harvesting, applications for this type of work will take a minimum of 16 working days' notice in order to process. Please apply with as much notice as possible to avoid delays.

Working close to power lines and other electrical equipment can be dangerous. There is no application fee. However, if a Top Energy Asset Protection Officer is required you will be charged for their time.

The New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances (NZECP34) requires written consent from the line-owner when you:

Undertake work within 4 meters of overhead lines including the use of mobile plant
Undertake excavation within 5 meters of power poles or their supports to a depth of 500mm or more
Intend to erect, construct or install a building or object within the safe working distances set out in the NZECP34
Undertake harvesting of forestry or woodlots near overhead lines

We will contact you to arrange an on-site safety planning meeting with you, or your site supervisor, prior to starting any work requiring consent. This is a requirement of our consenting process to discuss the proposed work and agree on risk controls.

Apply for consent to work near the Top Energy network below.

Repairing lines in storm conditions Ian Delves

Work near power lines (Close approach) application

Company/personal information

First name

Last name

Company name

Billing address

City/town

Post code

Contact phone

Worksite information

Site supervisor first name

Site supervisor last name

Site supervisor contact phone

Upload plans or images

Where possible include the Top Energy pole or asset number which can be found as a plate on the pole or asset

Close up of concrete power pole with asset number attached

First Top Energy asset number

Last Top Energy asset number

Description of work

Address & location of work site

Proposed start date

Must be at least 10 days in the future

Proposed end date

Note: Applications with a start date within 10 working days will not be processed.

Application type

Operate plant near overhead lines

Cut vegetation near overhead lines

Erect a structure near overhead lines*

Erect scaffolding near overhead lines

Excavate near poles or pole supports**

Create a road or track under existing lines

Altering the ground level beneath or near overhead lines and electrical assets

Other

Other description

*Application for Planning Engineer Advice required

**Cable locate required

Click here to read the terms

I have read and agree to the terms

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Work near power lines

Work near power lines (Close approach) application

Company/personal information

Worksite information

Latest news

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Build near the network

Locate a cable