Utility pole saving technology introduced

Rose Kayinga Kigozi was driving along Dewinton Road when the poles of an electrical transformer gave way and the weight landed on her car. She is still nursing the injuries.

Electrical and telecommunication poles have often posed a danger to the public when they suffer the effects of decay, termite attacks or bad weather.

To get around this problem utility companies have introduced a new pole saving technology that will prevent decay and termite attack. The technology will avoid the risk of poles falling on vehicles, pedestrians, safety hazards, power interruptions and extend the lifespan of poles.

The new British technology involves putting sleeves at the top and bottom of the pole. The sleeves prevent fires and the cap placed on top of the pole prevents water and moisture penetration.

The British company held a demonstration of the new technology at the head offices of the Rural Electrification Agency in Kololo, Kampala last week.

Godfrey Turyahikayo, the executive director Rural Electrification Agency said the country has had to replace utility poles nearly every two years and was creating unnecessary costs.

"If the Polesaver can increase the life of the pole beyond 20 years then it presents value for money," Turyahikayo said. He noted that companies treating poles have not been handling them well.

He said all government agencies including the Uganda National Bureau of Standards are going to study the new technology over two years. "It has worked in other countries in Europe, in Africa, they are good, we will work out the standards to adopt here," he said.

Peter Williams, the global sales and marketing director Pole Saver Europe Ltd, the company making the poles under the brand name Polesaver said the Polesaver was developed in the 1990s in UK and was used by farmers to protect their poles and the railway industry to protect their posts.

Simon Sekiwunga, chief executive officer COSE Electrical Services, said they have partnered with the British firm to supply the pole saving technology to Uganda. He said an order of 30 containers has been made which can be applied on 17,000 poles.

The technology

Polesaver is made when a thermoplastic bituminous liner is melted by a gas blower and seals the surface of the pole when heat is applied. This creates an airtight and watertight seal of the wood surface preventing decay. A tough outer shrink sleeve that isolates the wood from the ground. Elastic properties allow it to bridge cracks in the pole up to 25mm wide.