CMP crews upgrading Sanford-area transmission line

Photo / Courtesy of Central Maine Power Co. CMP crews have started construction work to upgrade a transmission line serving more than 3,600 customers in the Sanford area.

Write a Comment

By Renee Cordes

Central Maine Power Co. crews have started work on upgrading a transmission line in the Sanford area bringing electricity to more than 3,600 customers.

In an effort to make that section of Maine's energy grid better able to withstand impacts of extreme weather, crews plan to replace all wooden poles with stronger steel poles.

As part of the project, CMP will install covered wire along a 1.4-mile area to prevent power interruptions from tree hazards like falling branches.

The upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, according to the utility.

The new wire used during construction will be larger, allowing lines to carry more electricity. The goal is to prevent potential capacity constraints caused by increased energy demand.

“We’re looking forward to bringing the reliability benefits of 21st-century materials and modern grid construction to these customers in York County,” said Jenna Muzzy, CMP’s senior director of projects.

“Transmission lines are the backbone of our grid that serve large numbers of customers. Proactive investments like these are critical to ensuring Mainers have the energy they need for their homes and businesses today and in the decades to come," she added.

Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc. (NYSE: AGR) led by President and CEO Joseph Purington, is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. CMP serves around 646,000 customers in central and southern Maine.