Transmission lines carry high voltage power to substations, while smaller sub-transmission and distribution lines deliver that stepped-down power to you.
We have more than 14,329 km of transmission lines across the province. Each transmission line is built along a unique high voltage corridor called a right of way (ROW).
If you own land on or adjacent to a transmission line ROW, you have the right to use your property, however you must not interfere with the safe and reliable operation of the transmission lines.
When planning a project on or near a ROW, contact us early in the planning process to prevent delays, design changes and cost over runs in your project.
Safety around ROWs
The most significant risk of injury from a power line is electrical contact between an object on the ground and an energized wire that can occur even when the two don’t touch. Keep this information in mind to stay safe:
- electricity can arc or “jump” through the insulating space between a wire and a conducting object like a truck or a ladder
- unlike the wiring in your home, overhead power lines are not enclosed by electrical insulating material
- the most important safety practice is to keep your distance
- stay a minimum of 20 ft away from any power line if you’re not sure about the voltage
- we design and maintain our transmission lines to meet or exceed International Standards (CAN/CSA standard C22.3 No. 1).
If you are unsure about the voltage of the transmission line, contact us and use the largest minimum distance of 6m (20ft) listed in our general limits of approach.
| AC voltage phase to phase | Minimum distance (meters) |
|---|---|
| more than 750 V to 75 kV | 3 |
| more than 75 kV to 300 kV | 4.5 |
| more than 300 kV to 600 kV | 6 |
| HVDC Bipole | 6 |
| HCDV overhead ground electrode | 3 |
| DC ground electrode | 3 |
| This table describes the minimum distance from overhead high voltage lines that unqualified and unsupervised workers and their materials, equipment, tools, and machinery must maintain. The distances vary with the voltage of the line in your vicinity. The tools and equipment that are held or operated are an extension of your reach and it must be ensured you have enough room for movement without violating the limits. | |
Using a transmission line ROW
Subject to review by our property department, there are many safe ways people make use of transmission line ROWs.
Landscaping is not allowed
- if a tree grows near or touches a power line, it can create serious safety risks
- existing vegetation may be trimmed to avoid contact with the energized conductors
- planting next to the ROW is allowed, however you need to consider the species of plants used outside of the ROW
Multi-use paths, trails, roads and driveways
Recreational greenway trails, roads and driveways may be built within the ROW, subject to our review:
- detailed plans must be submitted for review to evaluate any safety or design impacts that may be created
- detailed design plans must include proposed grade elevations for consideration in vertical clearance requirements
- a maximum allowable vehicle height of 4.15m
- the construction of the path, trail or road should cross the right-of-way avoiding the lowest conductor point near the middle of the line to allow for the maximum vertical clearance to the energized conductors
- a minimum offset distance of 6.1m should be maintained from the transmission line structure foundations/anchors to the beginning of development (unless otherwise specified after our review)
- crossings of the right-of-way should be constructed approximately at 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the transmission line
- we will review proposed designs to ensure large trucks or tracked maintenance vehicles still have appropriate access
- we reserve all rights for future rebuilding of access roads over top of installed trails
Parking areas
Parking areas can be developed within a row subject to our review:
- parking areas are not allowed under 500 kV ROWs
- parking areas are for personal vehicles only
- the parking area must not be used as a storage facility for items such as semi-trailer containers/sea cans or recreational vehicles
- the area can only be used for temporary parking
- a minimum offset requirement of 6.1m must be maintained from the edge of the development to the closest transmission line structure foundation/guy wire anchors
- material such as gravel, earth, etc. must not be stockpiled, even temporarily, within the ROW
- temporary piling of snow must not exceed 3m above ground elevation
- refueling, storage of fuel/ explosive materials or maintenance of vehicles within the ROW is not permitted
- physical barriers such as bollards or stones for example, may be required to protect the transmission towers and the cost for the procurement and installations of these will be incurred by the developer
- changes in ground elevation in the corridor should be avoided
- proposed increases due to resurfacing (paving, gravel) will require review to ensure compliance with safety regulations and maintenance access to the towers and the footings
- grade elevations are designed to ensure no adverse drainage effects on the ROW
- you must get further approval from us for the erection of any sign, fence, light standard, or any other object above ground level, including landscaping, such as tree planting
Agricultural farmland, grazing and irrigation
Our transmission lines are often located near agricultural farmlands. Be sure that:
- caution is used when operating agricultural equipment near overhead powerlines
- crops are not burned within the transmission line ROW
- stay 6.1m away from the structures when operating equipment
Fences and structures
We do not recommend building fences within the transmission line ROW. They are a potential safety hazard and can cause access problems, however:
- barbed wire and woven wire fences insulated from the ground on wood posts can develop a charge when located near power lines
- if you are having a shock-related problem, call us at 1-888-624-9376 for an investigation
- if the fence will be locked, a copy of the keys must be provided to us for access
If a fence is required, you can submit a complete design plan for our properties department to review. You must include all location, material, lengths and height details.
Buildings adjacent to the ROW
Buildings or other structures are typically not allowed within our ROWs. However, with growth in highly populated areas, we will often see development taking place directly adjacent to the ROW. Depending on the land rights we have retained, certain municipal by-laws like building setbacks for example, may not always be applicable. In addition:
- in situations where a building may be planned near the edge of a ROW, a detailed plan must be submitted to our properties department for review
- check with your local municipal office to ensure that your planned development is located outside of the required set-back distance from the edge of the property line
- ensure that construction access and activities for the development do not use or enter onto the high voltage transmission right-of-way
- make sure that enough distance is left around the building for maintenance including the set-up of regular maintenance equipment such as water hoses, scaffolding, ladders, and motorized lifts
- building or landscaping activities that might involve water spray must be outside of the easement area (cleaning of eaves, windows, building exterior, lawn irrigation). should water spray/vapor contact the energized transmission line, the water vapor may become energized
- make sure that regular building maintenance activities for the life of the building do not require entry onto the ROW of the high voltage transmission line(s)
- the building design, including any projections (eaves, balconies, canopies, decks, swinging doors etc.) from the building must not encroach onto the high voltage transmission right-of-way
- if developing adjacent to a transmission line that operates at 500kV, a study by our Transmission Live Line & Electrical Effects section will be required, and setbacks will be determined after a detailed analysis of the proposed development and completion of the study
Underground utilities
Communications cable
Underground telecommunications facilities can be allowed within our ROWs either in a parallel alignment or crossing the ROWs. The proposed communication cable should follow the following criteria:
- buried communication cable should be located a minimum of 6.1 metres from the tower base and guy wire anchors
- services within 15 metres of the supporting structures are to be of non-conductive material
- there can’t be an increase in ground elevation due to the development within the corridor
- grade elevations are designed to ensure that there will be no adverse drainage effects on ROW
Pipelines
The installation of pipelines within our ROWs may be allowed dependent on certain conditions:
- in general, the minimum distance between pipelines and 230kV or less power lines to prevent arcing is 20 meters, based on average lightning currents and conditions in Manitoba
- a joint engineering study between us and the pipeline owner is usually required to evaluate the proposed pipeline plan
Excavation
The excavation of aggregate material from within transmission line ROWs may be allowed depending on site specific details regarding the proposal and subject to these conditions:
- excavation within and adjacent to the right-of-way shall be configured in a manner that does not compromise the geotechnical stability of the right-of-way, access to infrastructure and access to carry out maintenance operations
- blasting mats shall be used within a 300m wide buffer parallel to the right-of-way (both sides) to protect the conductor, hardware, structures, and footings from any risk of damages that may be caused by debris or flying rock
- blast timing and energy must also be selected to control ground vibration that could damage the towers and footings
International power lines
International power lines are controlled by the Canadian Energy Regulator and there are additional restrictions on compatible use of such ROWs.
Contact us
To connect with our property department or submit plans for review, email us at HCSC@hydro.mb.ca. You must include proposed grade elevations for consideration in vertical clearance requirements.