Every year, SaskPower undertakes efforts to inspect wood power poles throughout the province. With Saskatchewan having more power poles than people, the inspection process and the maintenance of the poles takes on a critical role in maintaining reliable power throughout the province. 

“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.” 

Starting this month, the Crown utility company will be inspecting more than 114,000 power poles and replacing over 3,500 of them. This year the work is scheduled to be done in the Carlyle area, Kindersley area, around Hudson Bay, in the Lloydminster area, La Ronge area, near Candle Lake, around Turtleford, near Shellbrook, in the Rosthern area and near Creighton.  

The project is estimated to have a price tag this year of $23 million. This will include $10.5 million for pole replacement and reinforcement. $4.7 million is expected to be spent on wood pole testing and treatment, with another $7.9 million for the repair and replacement of cross arms, which also includes the replacement of power lines in some cases.