Transmission towers serve as the core infrastructure of power transmission systems, and their evolution mirrors the iterative advancement of global power technology. In the late 19th century, the invention of the electric light bulb triggered a sharp surge in social electricity demand, creating an urgent industry-wide challenge to realize efficient long-distance power transmission, which marked the origin of the transmission tower industry. The world's first commercial DC power station was put into operation in 1882, yet it still failed to keep up with the rising power supply demands. It was not until 1891 that the world's first long-distance AC transmission line, stretching 175 kilometers with a voltage of 15,000 volts, was constructed in Germany. This breakthrough removed major technical barriers to power transmission and stands as a landmark milestone in the history of power delivery. In the early 20th century, high-performance steel lattice towers gradually replaced wooden utility poles. Boasting a lightweight yet high-strength structural design, excellent resistance to wind, snow and corrosion, as well as an extended service life, they became the primary supporting facilities for high-voltage power transmission. Over a century of technological innovation and process optimization, the adoption of new alloy materials and advanced construction techniques has greatly enhanced the stability, cost-effectiveness and practicality of transmission towers.
Today, the industry has developed a comprehensive product portfolio. Classified by voltage level, terrain conditions and transmission functions, mainstream tower types include suspension towers, tension towers and dead-end towers, fully catering to various power engineering projects covering medium-voltage 330kV transmission and high-voltage transmission ranging from 110kV to 750kV. Driven by the rapid expansion of wind, solar and other new energy industries, alongside the popularization of emerging technologies such as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, the market has raised ever higher requirements for the adaptability and stability of power transmission infrastructure. At present, the transmission tower industry is undergoing transformation and upgrading toward lightweight design, higher efficiency and eco-friendliness, fully meeting the construction demands of new power systems and laying a solid hardware foundation for long-distance, large-capacity power transmission worldwide.
