No More Concrete Poles: UK’s 5-Year, 150,000-Pole Replacement Opens Door for ACCC & Steel Conductors

May 2026 – UK grid operators announce a £3.2bn plan to replace 150,000 aging concrete electricity poles over 5 years. New steel and composite poles will support advanced conductors (ACSS/ACCC), doubling line capacity. 3,500km of overhead lines to be upgraded. Tenders open 2026–2027 via National Grid, SPEN, SSEN. This is part of the UK’s £350bn RIIO-T3 grid investment.

Why change materials? Old concrete poles suffer from cracking, steel corrosion, and limited load capacity, unable to support heavier modern conductors.

New pole materials:

●   Steel poles – High strength, durable, recyclable. Suitable for heavy loads and long spans. Galvanised coating provides 50+ years service life.

●   Composite poles – Lightweight, corrosion-proof, non-conductive. Easier transport and installation in remote areas. Lower maintenance.

Advanced conductors:

●   ACSS (Aluminium Conductor Steel Supported) – Steel core supports full aluminium weight. Operates up to 250°C without sagging. Doubles line capacity.

●   ACCC (Aluminium Conductor Composite Core) – Carbon fibre composite core. Ultra-low sag, 28% higher capacity than ACSR, reduces line losses by 25–30%.

Related products from our range:

ACCC Carbon Fiber Composite Core Conductor – For high-capacity, low-sag upgrading without tower modification. (Bare conductor series)

ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced) – Industry standard for long-span, high-strength overhead transmission. (Bare conductor series)

AAAC (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor) – Corrosion-resistant alternative for coastal and polluted environments. (Bare conductor series)

Contact us today to discuss your project needs or request a quote!

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