Japan Contemplates Destroying Utility Poles for a Fresh Approach
Japan is stepping up its efforts to modernize its power grid, with the Ministry of Infrastructure aiming to complete the replacement of utility poles with underground power cables on sections of emergency transport routes in urban areas by fiscal 2030. This move forms part of a broader initiative by the country's utilities and government to revamp the power grid, with significant investments exceeding ¥350 billion made by major power companies like Kansai Electric and TEPCO.
The new five-year plan, set to succeed the current fiscal 2021-2025 program, focuses on accelerating the undergrounding of power lines and eliminating above-ground utility poles, particularly on emergency transport routes in urban areas. While specific new targets and the scope of the plan are yet to be finalised, the existing program had set targets for the rate at which underground power line construction should start in designated areas.
The emphasis on emergency transport routes signals a focus on disaster preparedness, ensuring these critical roads remain unobstructed and functional during emergencies by protecting power infrastructure from weather-related damage or accidents linked to overhead lines. Underground lines reduce outage risks and improve safety and urban aesthetics.
In urban areas where it is difficult to move power lines underground due to narrow roads, the ministry intends to utilise roadside drains as a potential solution. This move is a response to challenges in moving power lines underground in such areas.
The ministry hopes to formalise this new plan next spring, after discussions by a panel of experts. As of the end of fiscal 2024, such work had been completed for only 35% of the high-priority areas. The ministry's plan to utilise roadside drains is not directly related to the removal of utility poles along approximately 21,826 kilometers of urban-area emergency transport routes.
The ministry's plan to move power lines underground in challenging areas is part of a five-year plan starting in fiscal 2026. This plan reflects a systematic approach to build a more resilient, reliable urban power grid by prioritising the underground placement of cables in key urban corridors while eliminating utility poles on emergency routes to facilitate smoother emergency response and transport operations. The ministry's plan to utilise roadside drains is not mentioned in the context of the completion of work on emergency transport routes by fiscal 2030.
The high risk of collapsing utility poles in the event of a disaster further underscores the need for this initiative. The ministry's plan to move power lines underground and eliminate above-ground utility poles is a significant step towards enhancing urban resilience and safety by removing vulnerable above-ground infrastructure from critical routes in cities.
With the new five-year plan, the ministry aims to decrease the visual impact and enhance safety in urban areas by integrating energy infrastructure, such as power lines, underground. Meanwhile, in challenging locations where moving lines underground is difficult, they plan to leverage roadside drains as a potential solution.
