MSETCL bags SKOCH award for using drones for patrolling of EHV Transmission Lines

Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL) have been declared the prestigious ‘Silver’ award winner for using drone technology for patrolling of Extra High Voltage (EHV) Transmission Lines. The 76th SKOCH awards were recently announced in New Delhi and MSETCL bagged this award in the power and energy category. The company is using the drones for inspecting the EHV transmission lines and maintaining uninterrupted power supply to consumers.

Speaking on the success, Chairman and Managing Director of MSETCL Dinesh Waghmare said, “The credit of the success of MSETCL goes to my team. The untiring services rendered by officers and employees of MAHATRANSCO have been instrumental in receiving many awards. The company has now adopted different modern technologies and this will definitely help the officers and employees to work more efficiently for a better cause in the future.”

MSETCL has recently started the use of 24 nos. of Drones for patrolling/survey of EHV transmission lines and scanning of EHV substations. These Drones are equipped with high resolution, normal vision and Thermovision Cameras along with GPS facility.

These Drones (Remote Airborne Inspection & Scanning System) are being used extensively for preventive maintenance of EHV lines /tower accessories/hardware joints which are not visible to naked eye.

“Survey/patrolling of lines and substations is carried out in minimum time and with maximum accuracy. This results in restoration of line and substation faults in minimum down time thus ensuring the high reliability and availability of system,” a statement issued by MSETCL said. It adds, “All EHV O&M Circles and all Zones are equipped with Drones.”