- In response to the extreme heat alert for the coming months, the company has activated a preventive maintenance plan. From September to November, it will inspect 510 km of its network using LiDAR and thermal imaging, prune 22,000 trees, install 100 remote-control devices in high-risk areas, and continue digitizing its networks.
Santiago, October 27, 2026 – The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) and the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) are among the agencies already warning of a challenging summer, with El Niño, extreme heat, and conditions that could fuel wildfires in the central-southern region. Their assessment is prompting electric utilities to develop additional measures, beyond those already planned, to ensure continuity of power supply and strengthen their ability to respond to emergencies.
Enel Distribución has already launched a preventive plan across its service area in the Metropolitan Region. The first phase, running from September through November, includes drone inspections of 510 kilometers of power lines; pruning and/or removing about 22,000 trees in high-risk areas; installing 100 new remote-control devices; and reinforcing infrastructure. From December through February 2027, the company will continue monitoring, preventive maintenance, and grid management in response to forecasts of high temperatures.
“We’re preparing for a summer with above-average temperatures. That’s why we’re already implementing measures that combine technology-based inspections, vegetation management, and greater grid automation to detect risks early, address specific areas, and restore service more quickly in the event of an outage,” said Pablo Palma, technical manager at Enel Distribución.
Technology for detecting sensitive points
Between September and November, Enel will inspect 510 kilometers of the network using LiDAR, thermal imaging cameras, and advanced visual inspections. LiDAR uses lasers to create three-dimensional models of infrastructure and accurately detect vegetation near power lines or components that need replacing. Thermal imaging identifies abnormally hot spots on equipment that are invisible to the naked eye. This information helps prioritize network maintenance.
Remote control: operating the network remotely
The plan includes 100 new remote-controlled devices, enabling Enel Distribución to operate its network from the Control Center without immediately dispatching a crew. The devices can detect incidents, isolate affected areas, and restore service more quickly.
Tree pruning
Vegetation is a major risk to power lines during the dry season. By November 30, the company plans to prune 22,000 trees in high-risk municipalities, keeping safety clearances unobstructed—the required distance between branches and electrical infrastructure.
Infrastructure reinforcement
Along with inspections and pruning, crews will carry out work to help the grid better withstand the season. This includes replacing low-voltage lines in priority areas, upgrading distribution boxes (the connection points to homes), replacing medium-voltage spacers to increase the distance between conductors, and increasing transformer capacity to handle higher electricity use as temperatures rise.
Coordination with emergency services
The plan includes regular coordination with Senapred, Conaf, the Fire Department, Carabineros, and other emergency management agencies. Enel Distribución will also provide training on wildfire prevention and emergency response protocols at its Operational Excellence Center.
These actions are part of an ongoing effort to modernize and digitize the grid, helping maintain reliable service for homes, businesses, and essential services through a summer of increased demand.