Terna of Italy has placed an order for an AW109 Power light twin helicopter. The aircraft, which will perform electricity infrastructure monitoring, will be delivered in 2015.

The AW109 Power was chosen after a rigorous and demanding evaluation process which took into account performance, cabin space, safety standards and overall cost effectiveness. Acquiring its very first twin engine aircraft will allow the company to perform missions in congested areas with the requisite levels of safety and performance.

The operator aims to continually improve the monitoring of transmission lines and works on pursuing new techniques of inspection. Visual and instrumental patrols carried out from a helicopter by its technicians with the support of hdtv and infrared cameras have brought about significant improvements in inspection efficiency. This has contributed to an increase in the quality of service, thanks to a better knowledge of anomalies on the components of the electric lines.

Terna is a major electricity trans-mission grid operator, the sixth largest in the world for kilometres of electricity lines managed. The group employs over 3,500 professionals and is responsible for grid planning, development and maintenance, joining competence, technology and innovation. Through its subsidiary, Terna Rete Italia, it manages a transmission grid of over 63,500 km of high voltage electricity lines.