Dicle Elektrik reports infrastructure damage from stubble fires

Dicle Elektrik has reported significant damage to electrical infrastructure caused by stubble burning in its distribution region. According to General Manager Yaşar Arvas, approximately 250 electricity poles have been damaged due to these fires over the last two years. The company estimates the total cost of equipment damage and unsupplied energy resulting from power outages at approximately 5 million TL.

Beyond infrastructure damage, the fires pose risks to life, property, and energy security. When flames reach power lines, they can damage conductors, insulators, and connection equipment, often necessitating emergency power cuts to ensure safety. Repairing these systems, including replacing poles and re-stringing lines, can significantly delay the restoration of electricity supply.

Agricultural productivity is also heavily impacted. Data from the Şanlıurfa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry indicates that burning stubble leads to a loss of approximately 1.5 kilograms of pure nitrogen per decare. To replace this lost nutrient, roughly 7 kilograms of chemical fertilizer is required per decare, impacting soil fertility and increasing farming costs.