Does the company compensate landowners for installing power lines on their property?Yes. In each power line construction project, Transelec pays for the corresponding access easement. The Company seeks an agreement with the owners of the property directly affected by signing an easement deed. The deed establishes the obligations of the parties and the compensation amount to be paid to the land owner. In the event that no agreement is reached, the pertinent legal authorities are required to establish the compensation amount.
What is the difference between the safety buffer strip and the easement strip?Technically speaking, they are two different concepts. The safety buffer strip is a piece of land, the size of which is calculated according to the electrical standards in force. It is intended to guarantee the safety of the power supply, of individuals and of their property by establishing a minimum distance determined by the buildings constructed on each side of the buffer. On the other hand, the easement is a plot of land whose size can be freely agreed upon between the land owner and the company. It is similar or larger in size than the safety buffer strip.
Is an easement the same thing as a definitive electrical concession?No. An easement is a right that involves a lien on an area on which the power line is installed. It involves an agreement between the land owner and the electric power company. On the other hand, an electrical concession involves an act of state (an Executive Order) issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Development and Reconstruction. It authorizes the holder to create easements, install, use, and operate the lines and to have access to the electrical facilities in order to perform the necessary repairs and inspections.
Will the land lose value because it is close to power lines or it has power lines installed on it?There are no studies capable of determining whether land will drop in value due to the presence of power lines. To safeguard the potential market value of the land, the government establishes payment for the easement so as to compensate for a possible drop in value if the layout crosses a plot of land. In general, electric power lines do not have a significant impact on normal activities in a plot of land since most activities are compatible with the presence of power lines. Furthermore, original land owners continue to be the sole owners and managers of the property involved. The only limitation in this regard is that they cannot obstruct the normal use of the easement.