- From October 2025 to March 2026, the company will conduct over 70,000 field activities to boost its operational resources ahead of the summer season. Tree pruning, felling, inspecting, and upgrading its electrical infrastructure will protect the electrical service and reduce the risk of forest fires.
Santiago, September 30, 2025 — As summers worldwide grow hotter, Enel Distribución has developed a preventive maintenance plan to tackle high temperatures and the risk of forest fires during the 2025-2026 summer season. This plan includes more than 70,000 field activities carried out by 20 specialized teams, aiming to ensure a continuous electricity supply and strengthen network safety amid extreme weather conditions.
Focusing on prevention, Enel Distribución will prioritize vegetation pruning and removal, as well as inspecting and upgrading its electrical infrastructure in the Metropolitan Region over the next few months. The actions include:
- Advanced aerial inspections: 1,650 kilometers of power lines will be monitored using drones and helicopters equipped with RGB, thermographic, and LiDAR sensors. These technologies will allow for identifying vegetation near the networks that could threaten the power supply.
- Vegetation management: Between October and November 2025, about 22,000 trees near power lines will be treated, focusing on those that pose a risk because of their proximity, health, or tilt. Additionally, roughly 25,000 m² of land will be cleared during the summer by removing trees and shrubs, with special attention to areas identified by CONAF and SENAPRED as being at high fire risk.
- Phytosanitary study: In the second half of 2025, over 23,000 trees near the networks were evaluated, revealing that 14% are in critical or poor condition, with 1,037 specimens in high-risk areas.
- Infrastructure modernization: To ensure optimal performance, transformers, crossarms, poles, and distribution boxes will be thoroughly inspected. Six new feeders will also be activated in the concession area, strengthening the network and providing a backup during power outages. Side guards designed to prevent the fall of incandescent material will also be installed on starters located in fire-prone areas.
“We pledge to anticipate and act responsibly in extreme temperatures and higher fire risks to ensure continuous electricity service and community safety. This plan demonstrates our dedication to prevention and ongoing infrastructure improvement," explains Francisco Messen, operations, maintenance, and construction manager at Enel Distribución.
With these measures, Enel Distribución reaffirms its dedication to service quality and risk reduction, enhancing the safety and well-being of its customers during the 2025-2026 summer season.