Essential Energy will take to the sky in the Southern Region over the coming months to capture a snapshot of the condition of its electricity network as part of its asset inspection program.
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Between mid-April and early May 2018, a fixed wing plane will be used to identify damaged or deteriorating network assets and potential vegetation encroachments in the Boorowa and Harden areas.
Regional Manager Southern, Sarah Roche, said the aerial patrols were part of Essential Energy’s Bushfire Risk Management Plan and the data captured would help ensure the safety and reliability of the network.
“The program will inspect the pole top condition of 107,100 power poles across 14,788 kilometres of our network,” Sarah said.
“Aerial patrols are an effective way to view our network assets to assess if vegetation is encroaching on powerlines or whether pole top hardware is damaged or ageing.
“Essential Energy may also from time to time use drones to inspect the electricity network in areas that are sensitive or inaccessible using conventional methods,” Sarah added.
Property owners with sensitive animals should contact Essential Energy on 13 23 91 to organise notifications of the flyover so that alternative arrangements can be made prior to the aerial inspections.
If the inspections identify an issue with the network, Essential Energy will contact affected landholders and organise crews to attend and undertake any necessary repairs.
