Canadian utility company orders 1,500 composite power poles
By Staff | February 01, 2004
Composites took a big step into the $3 billion North American utility pole market, with the Resin Systems Inc. (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) announcement that British Columbia-based energy provider R.R. Interior Power & Electric Ltd. has purchased 1,500 composite poles of varying lengths for installation throughout its service area, which includes British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. The poles are being manufactured in Canada by Resin Systems' subsidiary RS Technologies. Delivery began in January.
The company filament winds its poles, using its Resin Systems' polyurethane "Version" resin and fiberglass roving. The laminate design, developed in-house, produces a pole significantly lighter than competing products but tougher, as well, meeting all U.S. and Canadian regulatory performance standards, says Resin Systems' Greg Pendura. The company will enter the U.S. utility pole market "aggressively" in 2004, he adds.
Composite power poles are attractive and represent a potentially huge market, because many power transmission systems installed in the 1950s and 1960s now need replacement. More than 160 million transmission poles are in service in North America, based on industry estimates. Wood poles of sufficient height and diameter are increasingly difficult to obtain, says Pendura. Further, many chemical preservatives traditionally used to treat wood are currently banned because of potential environmental impacts. Composite poles resist rot and insect damage, and their low weight translates to easier installation and reduced labor cost, particularly in remote areas.
