The difference between low-voltage data lines and high-voltage power lines is that the latter are built to transmit power and sinking large part of it into a resistor at the end would spoil their purpose.
What power companies care about is voltage and reactive power. When power flow over the line is below natural loading, the line produces excess reactive power and voltage rises. The opposite happens when the line is loaded higher than natural loading.
To cope with these issues power companies use inductances and capacitors (or equivalent power electronics devices) to, in effect, alter transmission line parameters.
For example you may add inductance between the line and the ground to lower voltage during low load conditions including the case when line is temporary connected from only one side. This is shunt compensation. The inductance is called shunt reactor and in the power engineering area you would say it is a device to consume reactive power.
On the other hand you may want to reduce transmission line inductance to allow more power flow by connecting a capacitor in series with the line. This is called series compensation. It also helps to reduce voltage drop over the line.
Shunt compensation is necessary for extra high voltage (400 kV and above) power transmission lines. Series compensation may be used on 110-220 kV lines to reduce voltage drop over the line and on EHV lines to allow more power flow.