Energy Fiji: Avoid digging near underground cables

Energy Fiji Limited is advising the public to take precautionary steps in the event of undertaking civil works and digging where there could be underground power cables.

Energy Fiji has 10,500 kilometres (km) of power lines, of which some 915km are underground power cables.

How to identify underground cable areas

In a release, Energy Fiji acting chief executive officer Jitendra Kumar said: “These underground power lines are generally buried in the road reserves, under footpaths, along grass verges and across the roads. “Underground cables can also be identified in areas where there is power supply and no overhead power lines. One way to identify areas with underground reticulation is where there are green or black pillar boxes instead of overhead power lines to the houses and buildings. “Some industrial and commercial customers also have underground power cables on their properties running from the road-side to their transformers.”

Energy Fiji requests members of the public to verify the presence of Energy Fiji underground assets before carrying out any excavation works.

Failure to do so can lead to major accidents leading to injuries or even fatalities. Damages to underground power lines also lead to major power disruptions.

A “Permit to Dig” is required for any excavations in the vicinity of Energy Fiji power cables.

To verify the presence of Energy Fiji underground assets, which is a charged service, please contact Energy Fiji.

All queries can be directed to 132333 and mobile users can call on 5333.