We're at the forefront of using cutting-edge drone technology to ensure a reliable and safe power supply for South Australia. Our drone program, established in 2016, is driven by a team of highly trained pilots and a commitment to innovation.

Highly skilled pilots: The foundation of our drone operations 

The success of our drone program relies on the expertise of our pilots. Each undergoes a rigorous training program to earn their Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) remote pilot's license. This intensive course covers CASA's regulations, safe operation around other aircraft and in public areas, pre-flight checks, safe flying techniques, and emergency procedures. We're proud to have a growing team, with a recent accreditation of another group of new pilots bringing our total to 67 dedicated professionals. 

Drones: Our versatile tools for a more reliable network 

Our skilled drone pilots and advanced drone fleet are instrumental in enhancing the reliability and safety of our network in several key ways: 

1. Identifying hard-to-spot faults: 

Our "tool-of-trade" drones are increasingly used to pinpoint discrete or hard-to-see faults on our powerlines. For instance, crews in the southeast experiencing repeat outages were able to quickly locate and fix a problem using drone technology that would have been nearly impossible to identify from the ground. This targeted approach reduces the frequency of power interruptions for our customers. 

Image: Some damage is nearly impossible to spot by a ground patrol and drones assist to see our assets from the air. 

Rhys Evans, Operations Manager Fleurieu, noted, "Our organisation’s drone program has been in place for several years, with the number of pilots growing and flight hours increasing across the business." 

Read more about using drones to find tricky faults.

2. Long-Range Nighttime Inspections for Proactive Maintenance:

SA Power Networks is the first utility in Australia authorised to conduct long-range nighttime drone operations. Using drones equipped with thermal imaging, our teams can inspect powerlines at night to detect "hot joints" – areas where connections might be weak or failing. These hot spots are easier to identify at night when the ground is cooler. This proactive approach allows us to address potential issues before they lead to power outages, minimising disruption for our customers. 

Image: Thermal images from a night-time flight. 

David, Asset Management Officer, explained, “This latest accomplishment allows us to now better utilise our Remote Piloted Aircraft (RPA) fleet’s capabilities to increase efficiencies and effectiveness of line inspections.” 

Read more about using drones for long-range night-time operations. 

3. Tackling tricky terrain with heavy-lift drones:

Our larger, heavy-lift drones are proving invaluable in situations with challenging terrain. Recently, our Mount Barker team used one of these powerful drones to install new power lines in Mylor in the Adelaide Hills. Faced with steep terrain and a dam, this innovative approach made the job significantly safer and faster, saving hours of operational time. These drones can safely pull power lines across areas that are difficult or even inaccessible for our crews to navigate on foot or with traditional equipment. 

Benefits of our drone program

• Improved safety: Drones reduce the need for our crews to access potentially hazardous terrain or customers' properties for inspections and installations.
• Increased efficiency: Drones can help us spot faults faster and streamline tasks like powerline stringing, leading to quicker response times and project completion.
• Reduced disruption: Night-time inspections minimise impact on our customers' daily lives, and efficient stringing reduces overall project timelines. 
• Environmental responsibility: Using drones in place of some traditional methods can lead to lower impact on rural properties such as farms and a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

Picture: Locations of SA Power Networks' drone flights across the SA in 2024.  

Our commitment to innovation through our drone program is helping us build a more resilient and reliable power network for all of South Australia. 

More information

Want to learn more about our advanced drone technology and see our fleet? Visit our Inspections by Aerial Drones page.