• Electricity North West is piloting AI-enabled drones in Cumbria to speed fault detection on overhead lines during storm-related access disruptions.
• Program starts in November. A 12-month trial will cover Carlisle and Kirkby Stephen.
• Drones will be stationed at substations. Operations will run 24/7. Live feeds will stream to the control room for rapid damage assessment.
• Initiative targets faster restorations, lower field risk, reduced reliance on foot patrols or helicopters, stronger network resilience.
• Project is funded via Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance. Partners include Skyports Drone Services and eSmart Systems.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Electricity North West Limited published the original content used to generate this news brief on September 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.