Andhra Pradesh Power Grid Plans Drone Patrols for Asset Health Checks

The Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation Limited (AP‑Transco) has opened a tender for drone service providers that meet Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) standards, aiming to launch a pilot programme that uses unmanned aerial vehicles for preventive maintenance of its transmission network, The Hindu reported.

The tender invites companies to supply drones equipped with high‑resolution cameras and thermal imaging tools capable of scanning towers, conductors and substations. The objective is to detect corrosion, vegetation encroachment and other defects early, reducing the need for manual inspections that are time‑consuming and expose crews to safety hazards.

If successful, the pilot could evolve into a regular patrolling schedule, complementing ground‑based monitoring systems. AP‑Transco officials say the initiative aligns with the utility’s broader digital transformation agenda, which includes real‑time asset management platforms and predictive analytics.

Why drones matter for power transmission

Across India, utilities are increasingly turning to aerial robotics to address the challenges of maintaining sprawling grid assets. Traditional inspections often require rope‑access teams to climb hundreds of towers, a process that can be delayed by weather or terrain. Drones offer rapid, repeatable surveys and can capture data in hard‑to‑reach locations, enabling faster fault identification and more accurate maintenance planning. The DGCA’s recent guidelines on commercial drone operations have provided a regulatory framework that encourages such commercial applications while ensuring safety and privacy.

The move comes as the country pushes for higher reliability in electricity supply to support industrial growth and rural electrification goals. By adopting drone‑based monitoring, AP‑Transco hopes to cut downtime, lower operational costs, and improve the overall resilience of the grid.

Stakeholders in the tender include both established aerospace firms and emerging startups specializing in aerial data analytics. The selection process will evaluate technical capability, compliance with DGCA norms, and the ability to integrate collected data into AP‑Transco’s existing asset‑management software.

The pilot, once approved, is expected to run for several months before a full‑scale rollout is considered. If the technology proves effective, it could set a precedent for other state utilities looking to modernize their maintenance regimes.