As a part of this project, Sarens is working on removing the old wood poles and transporting and installing the new concrete poles, which weigh between 6,000 and 42,000 pounds and are between 40 and 75 feet tall.
Florida Power & Light's plans to strengthen the electrical infrastructure and install smart-grid technology to improve reliability and speed up restoration, for which they have outlined more than $28.85 billion in capital investments from 2025 to 2027, a significant portion dedicated to storm hardening and grid reliability.
The project aims to protect especially critical infrastructure by prioritizing lines serving hospitals, 911 call centers, and emergency response teams to help ensure these life-saving services remain operational during disasters.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport, and crane rental services, is collaborating with Florida Power & Light (FPL) on a project to strengthen the infrastructure and resilience of its power grid against extreme weather events, especially hurricanes and tropical storms, which frequently affect the state of Florida and cause service interruptions. Part of the project involves replacing wooden poles with concrete or steel poles designed to withstand winds of 130 to 145 miles per hour, thereby reducing power outages caused by storms.
Sarens is responsible for removing the old poles and transporting and installing the new concrete poles, which weigh between 6,000 and 42,000 pounds and are between 40 and 75 feet tall. The company was chosen for this project thanks to its proven experience, knowledge of technical requirements, and ability to meet workload and logistics objectives. During the planning phase, Sarens' engineering team addressed critical issues such as safety measures specific to the electrical industry as well as material storage and delivery requirements.
With this information, Sarens’ team decided to use cranes units with lifting capacities ranging from 65 to 350 tons for taxi operations. These cranes, which were selected for their safety, efficiency, and mobility, were equipped with a main boom and full counterweight configuration. The Grove 3060 all-terrain cranes are particularly noteworthy, as they allow for setup on highway right-of-way with minimal impact/interference from vehicle traffic.
The equipment was transported daily from Sarens' warehouse in Medley to the various installation sites. Between one and three trucks carrying counterweights and concrete poles were delivered each day. The assembly of the cranes took only about an hour each time.
The terrain and workspace conditions varied depending on the location of the poles to be replaced, but the common obstacles that the Sarens team considered to be logistical challenges for the proper execution of the operations were live power lines, trees, buildings, pedestrian and vehicular traffic. In turn, special attention was paid to possible underground risks from water and gas supplies or sewers. Additional complications could be heavy traffic, lack of light in cases where the operation extended into the night, as well as variable weather conditions, which also influenced the daily planning of each installation.
Sarens' scope consisted of lifting and removing the old wooden poles and then installing the new concrete structures, weighing between 6,000 and 42,000 lbs and ranging in height from 40 to 75 feet, with working radius ranging from 35 to 200 feet. Several transformers were also installed. All movements were carried out taking into account critical factors such as weight, height, size, confined space, and number of daily movements. The lifts were performed by Sarens personnel trained in rigging and signaling, ensuring safe operations even in challenging conditions, such as working near live lines or at night with limited visibility.
Sarens' operations are contributing positively to Florida Power & Light's plan to strengthen the electrical infrastructure. This initiative includes the Storm Secure Underground Program (SSUP, replacing overhead neighborhood power lines with more reliable underground lines) and installing smart-grid technology to improve reliability and speed up restoration. FPL has outlined more than $28.85 billion in capital investments from 2025 to 2027, a significant portion of which is dedicated to storm hardening and grid reliability.
These projects protect especially critical infrastructure by prioritizing lines serving hospitals, 911 call centers, and emergency response teams to help ensure these life-saving services remain operational during disasters. The hardening also helps economic stability, as faster restoration times prevents the massive economic losses businesses suffer during prolonged power failures.
According to Gerrit Van Doornik, country manager of Sarens USA “As Florida’s energy and construction sectors continue to expand, the demand for reliable, skilled service providers will only grow. Companies operating in these sectors will need partners who understand their unique needs, offer innovative solutions, and ensure timely, cost-effective project execution while maintaining safety and compliance. Companies like Sarens are at the forefront of this transformation, providing the expertise and resources necessary to meet the demands of the state's evolving industrial landscape.”
Sarens has extensive experience in the U.S. civil engineering sector by delivering engineered heavy lifting and transport solutions on complex infrastructure projects. Notably, the company participated in the construction of the Sphere in Las Vegas, executing large-scale lifts of key structural elements for the world’s largest spherical structure. Sarens also transported and installed 24 oversized modules for the Shintech VCM 3 plant in Louisiana, managing multimodal logistics and final positioning on site. In addition, the company contributed to the accelerated replacement works on the East Shore Expressway in East Providence, carrying out heavy lifting and modular transport operations under strict time constraints.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/