Central Maine transmission line rebuilt ahead of schedule, under budget

Courtesy / Maine Electric Power Co. Steel cross-arms (foreground) are raised into place in Windsor next to older wooden structures on Route 105. The wooden structures eventually were torn down once conductors were transferred to new structures.

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By Staff

Maine Electric Power Co., a company jointly owned by Central Maine Power and Emera Maine, announced Wednesday it has completed rebuilding a 51-mile transmission line between Orrington and Windsor, six months ahead of schedule and $35 million under budget, reducing anticipated project costs from $105 million to $70 million.

Two sections of the 345-kilovolt transmission line had reached their end of life because of deterioration of wooden poles and cross-arms, and needed to be rebuilt. Over the course of the project, 452 structures were replaced, most of them two-pole H-frame structures. Original MEPCO construction was completed in the early 1970s.

In order to maintain reliable operation of the grid with minimal disruption, most of the work over the 18-month construction period was done under energized conditions, or working with live wires. This month and next, the company will perform ground tests and environmental restoration.

“Because we were working with energized lines, safety was the primary consideration of the MEPCO team,” said Douglas A. Herling, president of MEPCO as well as president and CEO of Central Maine Power. “They worked safely and efficiently to finish this important project ahead of schedule, and I am pleased that Maine residents across the state will benefit from more reliable power delivery.”

Mike Herrin, MEPCO board member and president and COO of Emera Maine, credited project leaders “who, while prioritizing safety, delivered this project significantly under budget.”

“They are conscientious about costs and minimizing disruptions to our communities,” he said.

MEPCO works exclusively on transmission lines in Maine, an essential part of the electric energy infrastructure to move bulk power through the grid to be delivered locally to businesses and residents. MEPCO owns the 182-mile transmission line that runs from Wiscasset to the New Brunswick border.

Photos

MEPCO_1_ First Arm replacement: Somerville: The first aging wooden H-frame cross-arms are replaced by steel in Somerville.

About CMP

Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899, it operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines and serves approximately 624,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. For more information, visit.

About Emera Maine

Emera Maine is the state's second-largest electric utility and delivers electricity to more than 158,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across 10,400 square miles in five counties in eastern and northern Maine.