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Tallinn Mayor: One High-Voltage Mast May Remain Due to Cost Savings

Tallinn Mayor: One High-Voltage Mast May Remain Due to Cost Savings

From Postimees · () Estonian

Translated from Estonian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Tallinn's mayor stated that one high-voltage mast related to the Putukaväila facility might remain.
  • The mast belongs to Elering, not the city, and Elering decided to relocate it after the city requested its upkeep.
  • The decision to potentially keep one mast was made because repairing it is cheaper than dismantling it, given its connection to the Putukaväila infrastructure.

Tallinn Mayor Peeter Raudsepp addressed the city council regarding the future of several unused high-voltage masts, stating that one mast connected to the Putukaväila facility might be preserved. The mayor explained that the decision hinges on cost-effectiveness, as repairing the Elering-owned mast is less expensive than its complete removal.

Raudsepp clarified that the city of Tallinn has not made any decisions concerning the unused masts. He emphasized that these structures are the property of Elering, the national electricity transmission system operator. Elering holds the responsibility to either maintain these masts or dismantle them.

According to the mayor, Elering decided to relocate the masts after receiving a letter from the city requesting their upkeep. This initiative by the city aimed to ensure the maintenance of these structures, leading to Elering's decision to move them.

The discussion about the masts occurred during a city council meeting where Raudsepp faced a no-confidence vote. His explanation highlighted the technical and ownership aspects of the masts, differentiating the city's role from Elering's obligations.

The masts do not belong to the city of Tallinn. They are Elering's. Elering has an obligation to either keep these masts in order or dismantle them. Elering, upon receiving a letter from the city stating that we expect the masts to be maintained, decided to relocate them.

— Peeter RaudseppTallinn Mayor Peeter Raudsepp explaining the ownership and decision-making process regarding the high-voltage masts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Postimees in Estonian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.