Avangrid Invests in Modernizing More Than 40 Substations in 2026
Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, is continuing to strengthen the reliability, resilience and modernization of the electric grid through investments at more than 40 substations and substation facilities during 2026. The projects span Maine, New York and Connecticut, supporting the company’s efforts to improve electricity service, upgrade critical infrastructure and prepare its networks for growing energy demand.
The investments cover a broad range of infrastructure improvements, including major substation reconstruction projects, equipment replacements, flood protection measures, automation upgrades and capacity enhancements. Together, these initiatives are designed to strengthen the electric system, improve operational performance and help communities maintain dependable electricity service during normal operations and challenging weather conditions.
“Substations are the backbone of a reliable electric grid,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. He explained that the company is making strategic investments across its service territories to modernize essential infrastructure, strengthen protection against increasingly severe weather, improve operational flexibility and prepare the electric system to meet customers’ needs for decades to come.
Strengthening Grid Resilience Against Extreme Weather
Improving infrastructure resilience remains a central component of Avangrid’s grid modernization strategy. In Connecticut, the company’s subsidiary United Illuminating (UI) continued several major projects intended to protect critical electrical facilities from flooding and extreme weather events.
At the Singer Substation in Bridgeport, UI advanced construction on flood protection improvements designed to reduce the vulnerability of important electrical equipment. These measures form part of a broader effort to protect essential infrastructure from weather-related disruptions and help maintain reliable electricity delivery.
The company also reached engineering milestones for flood mitigation projects at the Grand Avenue-Mill River substation in New Haven and the Milvon Substation in Milford. These projects focus on addressing flood risks at facilities that play important roles in the local electricity network.
Meanwhile, final closeout activities continued for the Pequonnock Resiliency Project. The project involved relocating and elevating critical infrastructure to reduce exposure to coastal flooding. By placing essential equipment in more resilient positions, the initiative is intended to help limit potential disruptions associated with coastal weather events.
Such investments are increasingly important as electric utilities work to protect infrastructure against severe storms, flooding and other environmental challenges. Strengthening substations can help reduce the likelihood of weather-related equipment damage and support faster recovery when disruptions occur.
Modernizing Aging Substation Infrastructure
Alongside resilience improvements, Avangrid continued projects to replace aging equipment and upgrade substations throughout its service areas. These improvements are intended to maintain dependable operations, enhance equipment performance and accommodate changing electricity requirements.
In Connecticut, United Illuminating began construction on the Old Town Substation rebuild in Bridgeport. The company also initiated transformer replacement work at the Ansonia Substation and advanced reliability upgrades at the Sackett Substation in North Haven.
Transformer replacement and substation reconstruction are important elements of utility infrastructure management. Modern equipment can help utilities maintain operational performance, address the limitations of older assets and support the evolving requirements of electricity distribution and transmission networks.
Avangrid also made substantial progress on infrastructure modernization in New York through its subsidiaries New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E).
NYSEG completed or advanced major projects at nine substations: Fraser, Milo, Meyer, West Hill, Fourth Street, Cayuga Heights, Cobble Hill, Canandaigua and Aurora. These initiatives are helping increase system capacity, improve operational reliability and support continued economic development in the communities served by the utility.
In Rochester, RG&E advanced work at Substation 43, continuing the company’s efforts to modernize critical electrical infrastructure and strengthen the performance of its network.
In Maine, Central Maine Power (CMP), another Avangrid subsidiary, energized major upgrades at the Stickney’s Corner and Bonney Eagle substations. CMP also completed the Rock Row 34-kilovolt switchyard project and continued battery system replacements and automation improvements at numerous substations across the state.
These projects demonstrate the range of infrastructure improvements required to maintain a dependable electric system. From replacing individual components to upgrading entire facilities, modernization work helps utilities address equipment needs while preparing networks for future electricity demand.
Improving Grid Operations Through Technology
Avangrid’s 2026 investments also include improvements to protection systems, communications infrastructure and automation technologies. These systems help utilities monitor electrical networks, identify changing operating conditions and respond more effectively to potential problems.
In Connecticut, United Illuminating advanced upgrades to telemetry systems, protective relays, communications networks and protection equipment at multiple substations and transmission facilities.
Telemetry enables utilities to receive information about remote equipment and operating conditions, while protective relays help detect abnormal electrical conditions and initiate protective actions. Modern communications infrastructure connects these systems, supporting better coordination and visibility across the network.
Together, these upgrades are intended to strengthen situational awareness and improve the utility’s ability to protect electrical equipment and manage grid operations.
UI also began construction on permanent lightning protection improvements at the East Shore Substation in New Haven. The work is designed to strengthen protection for critical equipment against lightning-related risks.
In Maine, Central Maine Power installed automated devices at eight substations. These installations improve operational flexibility and enhance the utility’s ability to respond to outages and changing system conditions.
Automation can help utilities manage network operations more efficiently by providing improved control and monitoring capabilities. Such technologies are increasingly important as electricity systems become more complex and utilities seek to improve service reliability while managing growing operational demands.
Preparing for Future Electricity Demand
Avangrid’s substation investments reflect the growing importance of modern electrical infrastructure as communities experience electrification, economic development and the adoption of new technologies.
Electricity demand can increase as businesses expand, transportation becomes increasingly electrified and additional electrical equipment is connected to the grid. Meeting these needs requires utilities to maintain existing infrastructure while investing in additional capacity, stronger protection systems and more advanced operational technologies.
Substations play a critical role in this process by supporting the movement and management of electricity throughout transmission and distribution networks. Maintaining these facilities helps utilities deliver power safely and reliably to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Through its work across Maine, New York and Connecticut, Avangrid is addressing infrastructure requirements through a combination of equipment replacements, facility reconstruction, flood mitigation, automation and capacity improvements.
The company’s ongoing program involving more than 40 substation facilities during 2026 is intended to strengthen the electric grid today while preparing it for future demands. By continuing to modernize critical assets and improve resilience, Avangrid aims to support dependable electricity service and help ensure its networks remain prepared to serve customers and communities for decades to come.
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