KPTCL Deploys AI-Enabled Drone Technology Across Karnataka; 85% Drop in Power Outages After Detecting 1.5 Lakh Transmission Defects
Bengaluru, June 26: In a major digital transformation initiative aimed at strengthening Karnataka’s power transmission network, the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has deployed advanced drone technology to inspect High Voltage (HV) and Extra High Voltage (EHV) transmission corridors across the state, resulting in an 85 per cent reduction in transmission-related power outages.
According to a media release, KPTCL has inspected more than 11,000 transmission towers, identified and rectified over 1.5 lakh technical defects, and significantly improved grid reliability through drone-based monitoring.
The corporation said the technology has reduced the need for manual inspections in difficult terrain and hazardous locations while improving workforce safety, operational efficiency and predictive maintenance.
Equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging systems and LiDAR sensors, the drones conduct close-range inspections of transmission towers, conductors and insulators across dense forests, hilly terrain and urban areas. The system enables engineers to detect defects that are often difficult to identify through conventional inspection methods.
KPTCL said thermal imaging cameras can detect abnormal heat signatures and hotspots caused by loose electrical connections or deteriorating equipment, allowing engineers to carry out preventive maintenance before failures occur.
The inspection data is being integrated into KPTCL’s digital asset management ecosystem and will eventually be linked to the corporation’s upcoming Digital Twin Platform, enabling real-time monitoring of the transmission network from the central control room at the new Energy Bhavan.
Shift to Predictive Maintenance
The corporation said the project has transformed transmission line maintenance from a reactive approach into a predictive, data-driven maintenance model.
According to KPTCL, the initiative has achieved:
- 85% reduction in transmission-related power outages, with outage incidents falling from 519 to 73 across inspected transmission corridors.
- Inspection of more than 3,370 kilometres of transmission lines, including over 2,500 km of 220 kV lines and 843 km of 400 kV corridors.
- Detailed assessment of over 11,000 transmission towers and spans.
- Identification and digital tracking of more than 1,50,000 technical defects, enabling engineers to monitor rectification work in real time through web-based platforms and mobile applications.
- Rectification of over 200 critical defects during five coordinated batch maintenance windows, reducing operational disruptions while improving maintenance efficiency.
KPTCL said the digital architecture developed under the project has also been designed for future integration with its GIS and ERP platforms, creating a unified digital ecosystem for transmission asset management.
Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George described the initiative as a significant milestone in KPTCL’s digital transformation.
“Inspecting Karnataka’s nearly 45,000-kilometre transmission network through conventional methods is both time-consuming and challenging. With drones equipped with thermal imaging and LiDAR technology, we can now carry out comprehensive 360-degree inspections in a fraction of the time. The technology enables our engineers to identify even the smallest defects that are invisible to the naked eye. Achieving an 85 per cent reduction in outages through inspection-led intervention is a major milestone in KPTCL’s digital transformation journey,” the minister said.
KPTCL Managing Director Dr. V. Ram Prasath Manohar said the corporation is shifting its focus from repairing faults after failures to identifying risks before they lead to outages.
“This predictive maintenance model is making Karnataka’s transmission grid more resilient and reliable. By leveraging advanced technologies, we are ensuring uninterrupted power supply to farmers, industries and consumers while simultaneously enhancing the safety of our field personnel,” he said.
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