Safe infrastructure
Customers expect us to ensure a safe infrastructure and guarantee their safety while we perform our work. The safety of our networks for everyone involved is a high priority for us. We continuously invest in the reliability of our infrastructure based on information regarding the condition of our network.
Replacement programme for grey cast-iron and asbestos cement gas pipes
In 2019, the remediation plan for grey cast-iron and asbestos cement gas pipes was brought forward by eight years to 2032. In 2022, Liander removed over 150 kilometres of grey cast-iron and asbestos cement gas pipes, in accordance with this schedule. During the period up to 2032, we will periodically carry out extra inspections of the remaining pipes to ensure they are safe. Besides replacing pipes, we proactively and frequently check for (small) gas leaks using highly sensitive equipment. These checks are not limited to the grey cast-iron and asbestos cement pipes; they cover all mains and connecting pipes in operation. This approach ensures that we can address gas leaks at an early stage, before they reach a critical level. As always, safety is our top priority. We remain alert to changing situations and new risks, and give high priority to the replacement of pipes wherever necessary.
Asbestos in above-ground systems and buildings
in 2022, asbestos assessments were completed for a number of 50kV switching systems. In addition, in the distribution activity area, we continued the remediation work in spaces that needed to be tackled according to the industry-wide colour coding policy (red and orange). We expect to complete the asbestos remediation work for these selected spaces in 2027.
Resolving and preventing outages
We set up an investigation when incidents arise in the electricity network. A damage investigation team (SOT) conducts the investigation to identify damage and faults in Liander components. The purpose is to identify the possible cause and gather information on the assets’ failure. This allows us to revise or set up maintenance programmes and improvement actions. In 2022, we completed 150 damage investigations, consisting of 136 in the medium-voltage and low-voltage domains and 14 in the high-voltage domain.
Security at electricity substations
Unfortunately, we experienced a wave of break-ins at electricity substations in 2022. This can lead to unsafe situations for the intruders and our colleagues, and impair network safety and safety at customer sites. We therefore started installing temporary surveillance cameras in 2022. We are also working on structural measures to bring security up to the right level at our substations. For example, we are installing permanent camera systems at critical substations.
Other safety measures
In 2022, as part of a multi-year programme, we replaced a large number of substation locks to prevent doors being left open.
The Safety in MSR programme has been initiated in response to a number of incidents resulting in serious injuries in inadequately or partially shielded medium voltage rooms (MSR). This programme aims to replace this type of system as a preventive measure over the next 20 years, while at the same time taking action to make working in these spaces as safe as possible.
In 2022, the industry as a whole worked on formulating sector-wide draft agreements and processes for decommissioned connection lines that are still present. They ensure that network operators work in a uniform manner.