Give electricity space
Keep a safe distance
High-voltage overhead lines are an essential element of the Dutch power supply. They fulfil all safety requirements. Nevertheless, it is important to keep a safe* distance from them at all times. We therefore ask you to respect this rule if you are intending on conducting any activities in the vicinity of a high-voltage installation.
People fishing or flying kites, sailors manoeuvring tall-masted ships underneath overhead lines, and farmers and operators using cranes, tippers or agricultural machinery with long booms all face a certain risk when carrying out these activities in the vicinity of high‑voltage overhead lines. As such, TenneT advises these groups to be alert in this matter.
Spring and summer are the seasons in which to go sailing, fishing or kite flying. Farmers and lorry drivers continue to work through these months. Farmers cultivate the land and use hay wagons and irrigation systems, while lorry drivers operate cherry pickers, cranes and tippers.
In order to conduct these activities (either work-related or otherwise) safely, it is important that you maintain a sufficient distance between yourself and the high-voltage lines. If you ignore the recommended safety boundary, you may be affected by flash-over voltage. This is potentially fatal! As long as you keep a safe distance at all times you will not be exposed to any risks.
High-risk activities
The following activities constitute a risk in terms of personal safety: kite flying, kite surfing, hang gliding, parachuting, ballooning, fishing (long carbon casting rods are conductive), sailing, flying in helicopters, gliders, light aircraft or microlight aircraft, operating radio-controlled model aeroplanes and working with cherry pickers, cranes, tippers, high transports, high-stacked hay wagons or irrigation systems.
Plants and trees in the proximity of high-voltage overhead lines may present a danger if they grow to excessive levels and encroach upon the conductors. In brief, anything that protrudes and can (nearly) touch the lines while earthed or in contact with humans constitutes a risk in terms of personal safety.
In the event that an incident occurs or you discover a failure in a high-voltage pylon or overhead line, please call the TenneT Service Centre on +31 (0)26 373 1717 immediately.
You can find our detailed safety regulations under the ‘Publications’ tab. Alternatively, visit www.energieveilig.nl (Dutch only) for more information.
*It is important to maintain a safe distance from high-voltage overhead lines. Different distances apply to different voltage levels. As such, high-voltage overhead lines can only be qualified as safe when these respective distances are maintained. A distance of 10 metres from high-voltage lines is taken to be the minimum safety margin for the public.
