Essential Energy will be inspecting power network after 2019/20 bushfires

This important work will get under way next week, but new technology means it should have less of an impact on people and livestock.

Essential Energy will soon take to the skies above Kyogle and Casino to undertake a further assessment on the condition of the electricity network.

Essential Energy will take to the skies above Kyogle and Casino next week, using specialist high-definition equipment attached to a helicopter to assess the condition of the electricity network after the devastating fires of late 2019 and early 2020.

Operational manager Paul McWilliam said instead of low and frequent passes like in previous years, the chopper would take a more direct and higher flight path.

This is possible thanks to an autonomous image capture sensor.

“The newer technology will not only mean a faster delivery of the images but also lessen the impact on people and livestock in the flight path,” he said.

“These flights are a crucial part of our broader program to understand the condition of the network so we can identify and repair damaged or deteriorating network assets according to the risk they present.”

The helicopter will be used to fly the powerlines in locations throughout the Kyogle and Richmond Valley local government areas.

“Our overall Bushfire Risk Management Plan involves this helicopter-led data capture, other aerial inspections, drone and ground-based asset inspection which is combined with our network analysis to understand and manage risk to ensure the safety and reliability of the network,” Mr McWilliam said.

For more information visit www.essentialenergy.com.au/aerial.

Weather permitting, the patrols will start on Tuesday, August 10.