FireMeshTM section on pole
Australia’s power networks are bracing for a longer, more intense bushfire season, but a tested innovation is helping to safeguard the country’s energy networks.
Australia’s five million timber power poles are critical to keeping homes and businesses connected, but with many located in high-risk bushfire zones, they’re increasingly vulnerable. As climate-fuelled fires grow longer and more severe, the cost of protecting and replacing damaged timber poles is escalating rapidly.
Genics FireMeshTM is a heat-activated protective mesh developed by Genics and distributed in Australia by TEN, which helps to protect critical infrastructure during fire events. Installed at the base of power poles, the heat-activated mesh forms a fireproof barrier that shields timber poles from radiant heat, embers, and direct flame, helping reduce infrastructure loss, cut replacement costs, and restore power faster.
With trials now complete and widespread deployment underway, FireMeshTM is gaining traction as a cost-effective and scalable solution. The innovation offers particular benefit to regions at risk, which can take several hours or days to have power restored after a bushfire.
“During a fire south of Townsville, there was no damage to the 19 poles we had wrapped with FireMeshTM and we were able to get the power back on to nearly 2000 properties in the area much sooner as a result,” said Energy Queensland Network Manager, Keegan Oliver.
According to the latest CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology State of the Climate report, Australia’s extreme fire weather has increased over the past 30 years, with fire seasons starting earlier, lasting longer, and intensifying1. Bushfires have destroyed millions of hectares of land, thousands of homes, and cost governments billions, yet one of the most overlooked casualties is the wooden electricity network, which can take weeks to restore when poles are lost.
“Replacing just one timber power pole is a significant capital outlay, not including the broader community and economic impacts of prolonged outages. Protecting even a small portion of the 1.7 million poles in Queensland alone could save millions in replacement costs and significantly speed up community recovery,” said Lindsay Taylor, Group Business Development Manager at TEN.
ABOUT TEN
Established in 1998, TEN has grown to be Australia’s leading supplier of tools & equipment, network line materials, and stringing machinery for the energy sector. In addition, it is a technical collaborator, trusted by utilities, contractors, and infrastructure players to deliver safe, value-added, quality solutions that keep the lights on across the nation.
In just under 30 years, TEN has evolved into a nationwide business built on partnership, working hand-in-hand with global suppliers, customers, and industry experts to bring innovation and reliability to the forefront of energy infrastructure.
For more information on Genics FireMeshTM, visit www.tengroup.com.au.
1State of the Climate Report, CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology, November 2024
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