New regulations on construction near power lines

• PUCSL issues guidelines on minimum gap to be kept between power lines and buildings  

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has introduced new regulations with regard to the minimum gap that should be kept between power lines and buildings to ensure the safety of consumers and properties.

The regulations, which were approved by the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy on the recommendation of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, are described in No. 30,36 and 37 of the Electricity (Safety, Quality and Continuity) Regulations of 2016 and require a minimum vertical and horizontal spacing for the construction of power lines and buildings.

The new regulation explains that the construction of a new building requires a safety clearance certificate from those who own or operate the overhead line (Ceylon Electricity Board or Lanka Electricity Company Ltd.) through a written notice explaining the reason for constructing the building if it crosses any part of an overhead line.

However, a safety clearance certificate will not be issued and the building or structure will not be allowed to be built if the distance from such a building or structure is not in keeping with the spaces that have been mentioned in the regulations.

Provincial councils and the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils have already initiated actions to implement the regulation. Accordingly, the regulation will be strictly followed when granting permits for development purposes. 

The Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils has asked all provincial councils to consider this regulation when issuing permits for new buildings. Therefore, the application for the development permit will require information of the space clearance between the power lines and a new construction in the future.