NYSEG Completes Major Transmission Upgrade Ahead of Schedule, Saving Customers Millions
Avangrid, Inc., a leading energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, has announced the successful completion of a significant transmission infrastructure project in New York State. Through its subsidiary, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), the company completed extensive upgrades to nearly 13 miles of transmission lines across Allegany and Steuben Counties, enhancing grid reliability, increasing system capacity, and delivering substantial savings for customers.
The project, known as the Line 932 Transmission Upgrade, began in September of last year and was completed in May—approximately three months ahead of the planned schedule. In addition to finishing early, the project was delivered below its original budget, resulting in savings of more than $2 million for New York ratepayers.
The achievement underscores Avangrid’s commitment to strengthening energy infrastructure while maintaining cost efficiency and delivering value to customers. It also marks an important milestone in the company’s broader efforts to modernize the electric grid and support New York’s evolving energy landscape.
Strengthening Grid Reliability and Performance
The Line 932 project involved the replacement of 58 aging transmission structures along a 12.8-mile section of the transmission network. Many of the existing structures had reached advanced stages of their operational life, making replacement necessary to ensure continued reliability and resilience of the regional power system.
By modernizing these critical assets, NYSEG has improved the ability of the transmission network to withstand severe weather conditions, equipment stress, and increasing electricity demand. The upgraded infrastructure will play a key role in reducing the risk of outages and improving overall system performance for communities served by the utility.
According to company officials, the project also creates a stronger foundation for future grid enhancements. The upgraded transmission line will support the planned installation of a power flow control device near the Bennett Substation in Hornell. This advanced technology will help regulate voltage levels more effectively and optimize the movement of electricity across the network.
The improvements are expected to enhance operational flexibility, improve transmission efficiency, and support the integration of additional power generation resources into the regional grid.
Delivering Value Through Efficient Project Execution
Avangrid emphasized that completing the project ahead of schedule and under budget demonstrates the effectiveness of its infrastructure planning and execution strategies.
Jose Antonio Miranda, Chief Executive Officer of Avangrid, highlighted the importance of balancing infrastructure investment with customer affordability.
He noted that the successful completion of the project reflects the company’s ongoing focus on making strategic investments that strengthen the electric grid while delivering tangible benefits to customers throughout New York State. He added that projects of this nature are essential for building a more reliable, resilient, and affordable energy system capable of supporting economic growth and future development.
The early completion provides benefits beyond financial savings. Finishing construction ahead of schedule reduces potential disruptions associated with field work and accelerates the timeline for customers to benefit from the upgraded infrastructure.
The project’s cost savings are particularly noteworthy at a time when utilities across the country are investing heavily in grid modernization initiatives to address aging infrastructure, increasing electrification, and growing renewable energy integration requirements.
Supporting Economic Growth and Energy Expansion
As electricity demand patterns evolve and New York pursues ambitious clean energy goals, transmission infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. Reliable transmission networks serve as the backbone of the energy system, enabling power generated from various sources to be delivered efficiently to homes, businesses, and industries.
The Line 932 upgrades are expected to increase the capacity of the local transmission system, creating opportunities for both existing and future power generation facilities to connect to the grid. This expanded capacity can help support economic development initiatives by ensuring that growing communities and businesses have access to reliable electric service.
The project also aligns with broader state objectives focused on modernizing energy infrastructure, improving grid resilience, and accommodating future energy resources. As renewable energy projects continue to expand across New York, transmission upgrades like Line 932 will play an increasingly critical role in enabling the movement of electricity from generation sites to population centers.
By investing in strategic transmission improvements, utilities can help ensure that the energy system remains capable of supporting future growth while maintaining reliability standards.
Creating Opportunities for Workforce Development
Beyond the infrastructure benefits, the project also served as an important workforce development initiative. NYSEG incorporated training opportunities into the construction process, allowing lineworker apprentices to gain practical experience in transmission work.
Working alongside experienced journeymen, apprentices participated in activities that included climbing transmission structures and performing field operations associated with large-scale infrastructure upgrades. Such hands-on experience is essential for developing the next generation of skilled utility workers.
The project included the participation of 13 lineworkers from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 10, whose contributions were instrumental in completing the work safely and efficiently.
Roman Cefali, Business Manager of IBEW Local 10, praised the project as a strong example of the value that union labor brings to critical infrastructure development.
He emphasized that experienced journeymen contribute a high level of technical expertise while apprenticeship opportunities provide essential career-building experiences for newer workers entering the industry. According to Cefali, projects such as Line 932 not only strengthen the region’s infrastructure but also help prepare a skilled workforce capable of supporting future energy needs.
The combination of infrastructure investment and workforce training highlights how utility projects can generate benefits that extend beyond the immediate construction scope.
First Completed Project Under Powering New York Initiative
The completion of Line 932 represents a significant milestone because it is the first major project completed under NYSEG’s Powering New York program.
The initiative is designed to enhance electric grid reliability, increase transmission capacity, and support the state’s long-term energy objectives. Through a series of infrastructure investments, the program aims to modernize key components of the electric system while preparing the grid for future energy demands.
Several additional projects are planned under the initiative. Collectively, the program includes proposed upgrades to 25 substations and approximately 420 miles of high-voltage transmission lines throughout New York State.
These improvements are intended to create a stronger, more resilient electric system capable of accommodating changing customer needs, increasing electrification trends, and the integration of diverse energy resources.
Many of the proposed projects remain under review by the New York Public Service Commission, which is evaluating the plans as part of the regulatory approval process. If approved, the investments would represent one of the most extensive grid modernization efforts undertaken by NYSEG in recent years.
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