02 February 2010 16:08 Central Networks takes to the sky to check electricity substations across the Midlands

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is launching its yearly eye-in-the-sky helicopter patrols across the county next week as part of its work to inspect some of its 750 primary substations across the Midlands.

A helicopter fitted with thermal imaging equipment will be used to spot potential hazards and to identify where future work may be needed in electricity substations across the region.

The specialist cameras show a glowing bright light when there are high levels of heat between connections, joints or any other positions, allowing engineers to prioritise those "hot spots" for repair works.

Jim O'Sullivan, Director of Infrastructure Services at Central Networks, said: "Using a helicopter is the easiest and fastest way to carry out checks on large sections of the network.

"We're responsible for around 750 primary and grid substations across central England and this is vital work. It helps us spot potential problems before they develop and that means we can plan our investment and maintenance work more effectively.

"Once we get the information back from the helicopter we can make sure we can get out there and do the necessary work before it begins to cause problems for our customers."

The patrols are planned to run from Monday 8^th February.  The exact timings and routes will depend on weather conditions. Thermal imaging checks of substations are scheduled for:

• Lincolnshire 8^th - 9^th February
• Northamptonshire 9^th - 11^th February
• Leicestershire 9^th - 12^th February
• Coventry and Warwickshire  11^th - 12^th February
• Nottinghamshire 10^th - 16^th February
• Derbyshire   17^th - 18^th February

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 9.4 million people across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;

•  Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Boarders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:

Alisha Allen on 02476 192 063

A selection of Central Networks pictures is available free of charge to the media by registering at www.newscast.co.uk and looking under Distribution and B-roll of previous helicopter flights is available to download in broadcast quality by registering on the Media section of the eon-uk.com website