Support Services Related to Working with Overhead Powerlines 2021 – 2025

This framework will cover all land managed by Natural Resources Wales, with the majority of the work predominantly based on 126,000 hectares of forest estate owned by the Welsh Government and each Forest District is responsible for producing Forest Design Plans that deliver the management plans and programmes that ensure that NRW meets the objectives of the Woodlands for Wales Strategy and the priorities in the Corporate Plan. The Forest Districts perform a landowner role with respect to estates management. Services are provided to each of the forest districts by specialist business units undertaking harvesting, restocking and establishment and civil engineering works.

The majority of powerlines form part of the distribution network (i.e. below 275kv). In Wales there are two main Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). They are Scottish Power Energy Networks in the north and Western Power Distribution in the south. Other operators are present such as Central Networks (West) in parts of Powys and Eon where the network is linked to a specific piece of generating apparatus such as a hydro scheme. In North and South Wales there are forest blocks where National Grid transmission lines (275Kv and 400Kv) are also present.

The presence of overhead powerlines constitutes a significant hazard where forest operations are planned. In addition, powerlines outside the forest boundary may also adversely affect the safety of operations.