SSEN and a specialist team from PDG Aviation Services have completed a three-day line patrol surveying around 11,000 wooden poles and overhead lines in the north and west of Shetland, as well as the outer isles.

The aerial assessment of the power infrastructure provided a bird's eye view of all the network that had been repaired in the aftermath of December's snow storm, as well as checking on sections that are located in the more remote and inaccessible parts of the island.


SSEN got special access to one of the patrol flights last week, giving a unique angle on some of the most remote sections of SSEN Distribution's entire infrastructure, as well as seeing how PDG's tablet-based technology provides instant feedback on the network to our teams on the ground.

Below is two videos highlighting the important role that these patrols can play in the immediate aftermath of a major weather event and also a look at the technology that's being used.