Central Maine Power wants to invest up to $1.4 billion in Maine to reinforce the reliability of its power grid and to handle new capacity generated by renewable resources, like wind.
The largest part of Augusta-based CMP’s proposal entails building a 345-kilovolt transmission line from Orrington to Newington, N.H, which will involve building new substations and upgrading existing ones, according to a press release from the company. CMP is also joining with the Maine Public Service Co. in Presque Isle to look into linking the latter’s service area to Maine’s electric grid to avoid having transmission lines cross into New Brunswick.
The system upgrade will require approvals and permits from the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Maine Department of Environmental Protection and about 80 local governments and agencies. “On its own, the construction will create nearly 6,000 new jobs in Maine, and having a strong, reliable grid will mean brighter prospects for existing business and emerging renewable energy industries,” CMP President Sara Burns said in a press release.
