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Northern Powergrid has spent £9 million over the course of 2016 clearing trees and vegetation growing close to its power lines.
This work reduces the risk of power cuts on more than 2,000km of overhead power network carrying up to 132,000 volts of electricity.
Northern Powergrid’s vegetation management manager Nigel Walker said: “It’s vitally important that we carry out a robust programme of tree clearance throughout the entire year.
“While not completely eliminating the risks, this work can help significantly reduce the potential for trees making contact with our power lines during severe weather or snapped branches hitting our network causing damage and a power cut for our customers.
“Wherever safely possible we cut back trees without disrupting power for our customers, however on some occasions to work safely we do have to isolate our network. We know a power cut can be inconvenient, so before carrying out any work that requires us to temporarily switch off the power we always provide advance notice.”
Earlier this month fellow DNO Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) revealed it plans to create a detailed 3D visualisation of its overhead lines networks to enhance resilience and maintenance efficiency by giving detailed information on potential hazards such as vegetation.
SSEN has also invested £150 million to strengthen its network in the north of Scotland and central southern England ahead of winter.
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