SaskPower to Inspect Over 114,000 Power Poles Across Saskatchewan in 2021
May 06, 2021
Starting this month, SaskPower will begin inspecting over 114,000 wood power poles, and replace over 3,500 throughout Saskatchewan as part of the 2021 Wood Pole Inspection and Maintenance Program. Saskatchewan has more power poles than people, and keeping power poles all maintained is critical to reliable power.
“We have over 1.2 million wood power poles across the province, so to help ensure safe and reliable power, we’re continuing with our annual inspection program,” said Tim Eckel, Vice President of Asset Management, Planning, and Sustainability. “This program will help identify damage and decay and also allow our crews to carry out maintenance to extend the life of these poles.”
Wherever possible, poles will be repaired and reinforced. If a pole cannot be repaired or reinforced, it will be replaced.
The estimated cost of this project in 2021 is over $23 million, which includes $10.5 million on pole replacement and reinforcement and $4.7 million on wood pole testing and treatment. $7.9 million is being spent to repair or replace crossarms, which will also go toward replacing the power lines on some of these structures.
The schedule for work is:
| Area | No. of Poles | When |
|---|---|---|
| Carlyle |
44,909 |
May to early September |
| Kindersley |
37,181 |
May to end of August |
| Hudson Bay |
1,861 |
May |
| Lloydminster |
1,734 |
May |
| La Ronge/Wollaston Lake |
600 |
August |
| Candle Lake |
20,325 |
August to end of October |
| Turtleford |
616 |
August to September |
| Shellbrook | 957 | August to September |
| Rosthern |
699 |
August to September |
| Creighton |
5,742 |
September to October |
SaskPower’s priority is to ensure health and safety of customers and employees while maintaining reliable power. As such, crews will wear high-visibility clothing, carry identification, and will follow all current provincial COVID-19 protocols and guidelines while maintaining social distancing of two metres from customers while work is completed. Crews will also follow proper hygiene practices and cleaning procedures for tools and equipment once their work is done.
SaskPower crews will operate within the utility right-of-way as much as possible, though there may be instances where workers are required to access private property. Crews will work to notify landowners if this is the case.
For more information, visit saskpower.com/woodpoles
At a glance...
- SaskPower will inspect over 114,000 wood power poles throughout Saskatchewan
- SaskPower will invest over $23 million to inspect and maintain wood poles in 2021
- SaskPower crews will work in the utility right-of-way as much as possible
- More information can be found at saskpower.com/woodpoles
