This project aims to map and document all power networks on the planet : from the largest cross-border transmission grids to small rural microgrids.

This includes the physical infrastructure that makes electricity generation, transmission, and distribution possible, such as power lines and cables, tower and poles, power plants and substations.

Power infrastructure is critical for modern life and very useful for navigation, particularly for overhead lines. Yet, it is still under-mapped in many regions. By contributing to this project, you help build a global, open dataset that supports energy access, climate resilience, disaster response, and infrastructure planning.

What’s not included:

While oil and gas infrastructure is essential for energy systems, it is not mapped under the power=* unless it is directly part of electricity generation. For pipelines and related infrastructure, refer to the dedicated Oil and Gas Infrastructure page.

Tips :

If you are a power user, join the category:power user.

There is an IRC channel for discussing power networks and other infrastructure: irc.oftc.net #osm-infrastructure.

Electric power

Power network

Stages of electric grids

Electric power networks are structured in three main stages. Understanding these helps mappers choose the right tags and interpret the role of infrastructures.

Generation

Electricity generation is the first stage in the electric grid and it is where electricity is produced from various energy sources (fossil fuels, hydro, solar, wind, nuclear, biomass, ...). Facilities are mapped with power=plant and/or power=generator. For more information, please refer to the dedicated page Power generation.

Transmission

Power transmission is electricity being transmitted over long distanced at high voltage (100 kV and more), in order to reduce lossess. Transmission networks connect power plants to major substations, major industry facilities, or between regions.

Distribution

Electric power distribution is the final stage where electricity is delivered to consumers, at mid- and low voltages.

Physical components of an electric grid

Power plants

A facility that generates electricity from different sources. Map as an ; tag with power=plant and describe the technology using generator:source=* and generator:type=*. More information here : Electricity generation.

Substations

A site where voltage is transformed and electricity is routed between lines. Map as an and tag with power=substation, and use substation=* to define its role (e.g. transmission, distribution). More information here : Substations.

Lines

An overhead line carrying electricity over long distances and used for generation and transmission. Sometimes visible in satellite imagery, they are always supported at regular intervals by either towers or poles. Map as an and tag with at minimum power=line. More information here : Power lines and Classification of power lines

Minor lines

A mid- and low voltage overhead line used in distribution. Map as an and with at minimum power=minor_line. More information here : Power lines and Classification of power lines

Towers

A large metal structure that supports high-voltage overhead lines. Built on-site and varying in shape, it is often visible in satellite imagery by its star-shaped or π-shaped footprint. Map as a and tag with power=tower. Map as with power=tower.

Poles

A smaller structure for supporting minor lines or cables. Typically made of wood or metal, with a simple T-shaped crossbar. Map as a and tag with power=pole.

Cables

An underground or underwater line used instead of overhead transmission. Not visible from satellite imagery; it should only be mapped if technical knowledge and sources are available. Map as an and tag with at minimum power=cable.

Types of electric grids

Electric grids vary by scale and function. These distinctions can help guide tagging and context.

Supergrids

Large-scale, cross-border networks using high-capacity transmission (often HVDC). Lines should be tagged with power=line with high voltage=*.

Wide area grids

National or regional grid connecting generators, substations, and consumers. Most power=* infrastructure belongs to this category.

Microgrids

Small local power networks (e.g. islands, campuses, regions with no transmission grid) that may operate independently. Lines should be tagged with mid- and low- voltages.

Proposals

Refer to the page category on Proposals for power networks.

Mapping guidelines

Rendering

Open Infrastructure Map renders electricity, telecommunications, water, petroleum, and microwave communications infrastructure, also features a similar rendering of power lines in one of its overlays, Names of substations and their highest voltage, and power plants are also indicated.

Another visualization can be seen at Flosm.de.

MapCSS style

A mapCSS stylesheet is available for josm.

Local projects

Local projects intend to document practices, knowledge and mapping guidelines relevant for a particular area in the world only. Feel free to create a dedicated one for your region if missing. Such page should only cover particular area (like countries or region) but not a given infrastructure or facility for sake of consistency. To create a new page, you may use the dedicated template, see : Power networks/Guidelines/Country page.

Quality Assurance

See : Power_networks/Quality_Assurance

Organized editing activities

For more information, please refer to the dedicated Organised Editing/Activities page.

Research and scientific articles

OSM in energy projects worldwide

Note on oil and gas power

Oil and gas infrastructure is not tagged with power=* unless it directly relates to electricity generation.

If oil or gas is used as a fuel in a power plant, the recommended tags power=plant and generator:source=oil or generator:source=gas.

Pipelines, wells, refineries, and storage tanks are part of the petroleum or gas industries, not the electric power network.

For detailed information on this subject, please refer to the dedicated Oil and Gas Infrastructure page.

This following section is considered to be merged into Oil and Gas Infrastructure page. Please discuss if you're opposed to this.

Open Infrastructure Map shows man_made=pipeline and substance=* on ways and areas.

Pipelines

man_made=pipeline "Here is a pipeline"
location=* underground|underwater|overground (optional)
substance=value This can be <water|oil|gas|sewage|any substance> (optional)
operator=name <name of the company operating the pipeline> (optional)

Germany: Gasnetzkarte

Abkürzung	Name der Pipeline	Marker von - Marker bis	osm data	Kommentar
NWO	Nord-West-Oelleitung	19,34,36,37	30780560 30780560
RRB	[Rohrleitung Rostock Böhlen]	690-692	35103657 35103657	Quellen: [1]

Substations

See pipeline=substation for any facility involving pipelines for inspection, compression or storage

Proposals

Pipeline extension proposal.

Power networks

Electric power

Power network

Stages of electric grids

Generation

Transmission

Distribution

Physical components of an electric grid

Power plants

Substations

Lines

Minor lines

Towers

Poles

Cables

Types of electric grids

Supergrids

Wide area grids

Microgrids

Tags

Proposals

Mapping guidelines

Rendering

MapCSS style

Local projects

Local projects in Africa

Local projects in Asia

Local projects in Europe

Local projects in Oceania

Local projects in North America

Local projects in South America

Quality Assurance

Organized editing activities

Research and scientific articles

OSM in energy projects worldwide

See also

Note on oil and gas power

Pipelines

Substations

Proposals

Navigation menu

Search