Utility Poles Industry: Top 3 Trends That Are Projected to Reshape the Sector in 2024

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Latest trends and advancements in the utility poles sector
• The rise of the industry in Asia-Pacific

 

Utility poles, one of the most common public infrastructures seen in urban and rural areas, are columns or posts supporting overhead electric cables and lines. Along with this, utility poles are also used to install other equipment like streetlights, traffic signals, transformers, etc. Hence, utility poles are sometimes also referred to as transmission poles, telecommunication poles, or telegraph posts. First used in 1843, utility poles were traditionally made from wood and aluminum alloys; however, now they are made using different metals like concrete, metallic alloys, and even fiberglass.

Contribution of the private sector in reshaping the utility poles industry in 2024

In recent times, utility or transmission poles have undergone considerable changes to suit the contemporary dynamics of public spaces. Firstly, wood or normal metals, which were primarily used for manufacturing these poles are now being replaced by corrosion-resistant materials. In most cases, high-strength steel alloys as they make these poles durable and flexible. The use of advanced coatings to make existing poles resilient to harsh environmental conditions is another important trend witnessed in the utility poles industry.

With the launch of 5G services, the pace of digitalization has increased exponentially across the globe. Furthermore, various internet service-providing companies are expanding their businesses by installing the necessary infrastructure even in the most remote areas. Also, the use of smart devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones has surged. All these factors have resulted in an increased penetration of internet services globally. This has intensified the demand for transmission poles and led to many advancements in the industry.

For instance, utility poles that are compatible with 5G services are being increasingly developed to improve the quality of public infrastructure. Naturally, advanced transmission poles have become an important component of smart city projects that have been initiated in almost all the major metropolitan cities across the world. To cater to this demand, transmission pole manufacturing companies are developing telecommunication posts that are fitted with sensors and other advanced communication equipment.

Urban planning experts have opined that these advanced transmission poles are expected to play a crucial role in making the Internet of Things revolution a huge success in the coming period. In 2021, for instance, Nokia and ClearWorld announced a collaboration to develop smart street lighting solutions. As part of this partnership agreement, both the companies are set to share their expertise and resources to manufacture smart solar poles that support Wi-Fi connectivity, video analytics, and license plate reading.

Another vital development in the transmission poles sector is the growing focus on environmental sustainability. With the growing environmental awareness, several countries have passed laws to reduce the carbon footprint of public infrastructure. As a result, the use of recycled steel to manufacture utility poles has become common in recent times. Furthermore, paint and coating manufacturers, through extensive research, have developed eco-friendly coatings that have minimal impact on the environment. In December 2022, to promote sustainability initiatives, WOPAS, a utility pole manufacturer, announced the launch of eco-friendly utility poles made from recycled plastic and natural wood. As per WOPAS, the utility pole, thus manufactured is completely recyclable, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the utility poles industry.

The role of utility poles in meeting Asia-Pacific's rising infrastructure and energy demands

As far as the utility poles industry is concerned, the Asia-Pacific region, among all other major regions globally, is predicted to witness the highest growth in the coming period. The major reason behind this growth is the growing population in Asia-Pacific countries. Also, the trend of migration of people from rural to urban areas is evident in these countries. These demographic changes have led to a rise in the pace of urbanization and infrastructure development, thereby amplifying the demand for transmission poles.

Furthermore, as the population in these countries has increased, the demand for energy and power generation has also surged. The growth of the energy transmission and distribution industry has led to a massive uptick in the demand for utility and telecommunication poles for providing electricity in urban and rural areas. Also, many developing countries in this province have started rural electrification programs to improve the livelihoods of people living in remote areas and make basic amenities available to them. Such social sector initiatives have also indirectly improved the revenue share of the utility poles industry in Asia-Pacific.

To sum it up, utility or transmission poles have always been a central component of public infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. In recent times, the growing integration of advanced telecommunication technologies and the gradual shift toward sustainability are expected to open new avenues of growth in the years to come. The growing energy demands across the globe are also projected to augment the growth rate of the sector in the coming period.

For insights into how your business can capitalize on the opportunities offered by the industry, feel free to contact us.

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