UK, Englans, London: National Grid has launched the world’s first centralised autonomous drone inspection system for electricity infrastructure, marking a major milestone in the UK’s digital grid transformation.
Developed with sees.ai after a four-year innovation programme, the technology moves from trials to full-scale operations across England and Wales. Drones will fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) close to live pylons and cables, piloted remotely from a central control room. The high-resolution data captured will inform National Grid’s maintenance and investment programmes, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the transmission network.
The approach complements existing inspection methods using helicopters and line workers, freeing up skilled engineers to focus on complex, hands-on tasks. Automated inspections promise faster, safer, and more consistent data processing while reducing environmental impacts.
“This rollout underscores our commitment to using innovative technologies to manage and upgrade our network,” said Kathryn Fairhurst, Overhead Line Operations Director at National Grid. “By handling non-intrusive tasks, drones enable our highly skilled workforce to concentrate on the critical jobs that require human expertise.”
Backed by the UK government and supported by the Civil Aviation Authority, the project also reflects wider ambitions to modernise airspace and enable everyday BVLOS drone operations.
John McKenna, CEO at sees.ai, added: “National Grid’s forward-thinking approach validates the maturity of our technology and shows what’s possible when infrastructure, innovation, and regulation align.”
The deployment strengthens National Grid’s leadership in digital grid operations, demonstrating how AI, automation, and innovation can support the energy transition while enhancing safety, reliability, and sustainability.
Source: National Grid
