Makes a minority investment into US based drone maker Sharper Shape; partnership to make asset inspections more cost-effective, efficient and safer
Palo Alto-based Sharper Shape, the global market leader of automated drone-based asset inspections, and Sterlite Power, leading power transmission company have entered a strategic partnership to provide drone inspection services for utility assets in India, according to the press release.
As part of the cooperation, Sterlite Power will make a minority investment into Sharper Shape to foster Indian market growth and continued technology development. The partnership agreement was signed in February to deliver cutting-edge drone technologies for the power transmission industry in the presence of the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä in Mumbai during the ‘Make in India’ week.
Sterlite Power and Sharper Shape are currently awaiting approvals from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for large-scale, long distance drone flights to inspect utility assets. Long distance drone flights could provide significant benefits by enabling a safe, efficient and faster method of inspection.
In addition to improving the reliability, resilience and safety of Sterlite Power’s transmission lines, the partnership aims to provide services for other utilities in India. India has a power transmission network of more than a million circuit kilometers that is undergoing double-digit growth annually. The use of drones will increase the uptime of the grid, reduce transmission tariffs, avoid grid blackouts, and save the environment by reducing deforestation along the line corridors.
Pratik Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer, Sterlite Power, “We are delighted to partner with Sharper Shape in bringing automated asset management to the Indian power transmission industry. Drones are transforming the way in which infrastructure is built and maintained. Sterlite Power is committed to solving the toughest challenges of energy delivery. We are proud to contribute towards India’s vision for a 24X7 power-for-all.”
Tero Heinonen, CEO of Sharper Shape said, “We applaud Sterlite Power for pioneering drone-based asset inspections in India. And, we look forward to working with Sterlite Power to establish a framework for drone inspections in India that will provide safe and reliable energy for consumers.”
