CMP Energizes Upgraded Transmission Line Segment in Central Maine
Augusta, ME - August 15, 2025 - Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., has energized a newly built segment of transmission line in Winslow, Maine, as part of work to rebuild a 22-mile transmission line in Kennebec County. The line being upgraded is more than 100 years old. It was originally built with types of wood poles that were standard for 1920, but are outdated today.
CMP is bringing this line up to modern, 21st-century standards by installing stronger steel poles and covered tree wire to better prepare this part of Maine’s grid for extreme storms. These grid strengthening improvements will benefit over 7,000 CMP customers in Augusta, Vassalboro and Winslow. As phases of this project are completed, segments of the 1920’s era line will be decommissioned and removed.
“Energizing the first segment of this upgraded transmission line in Winslow is an important first step to ensure we continue to deliver safe and reliable service to these customers,” said Eric Sutton, Vice President of Electric Operations for Central Maine Power. “Grid technology and engineering have advanced a lot over the last 100 years. Now, that this line is nearing the end of its operational life, upgrading it allows our grid to better withstand extreme weather and can reduce outages for our customers. Projects and upgrades like this across Maine are about more than just materials - they’re about ensuring our customers have the dependable power they need, no matter the season.”
The improved 1.5-mile transmission line segment in Winslow was energized in late July. This project also proactively supports Maine’s economy and communities by using larger wire that can carry more electricity. This helps to ease future capacity constraints as energy demand and new grid uses increase across the state.
This project began in November of 2024 and is expected to be completed in spring 2026. Downloadable video of the transmission line in Winslow that news media may use rights-free is available here.
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About Central Maine Power: Central Maine Power Company (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc., is Maine’s largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. Established in 1899 and based in Augusta, Maine, CMP serves approximately 646,000 customers across 346 communities in central and southern Maine. It operates approximately 23,500 miles of distribution lines and 2,900 miles of transmission lines. Over the last decade, the company has invested approximately $3.5 billion in Maine system infrastructure. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States working to meet the growing demand for energy for homes and businesses across the nation through service, innovation, and continued investments by expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation projects. Avangrid has offices in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, including operations in 23 states with approximately $48 billion in assets, and has two primary lines of business: networks and power. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Through its power generation business, Avangrid owns and operates more than 75 energy generation facilities across the United States producing 10.5 GW of power for over 3.1 million customers. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens – in 2025 for the fifth consecutive year. The company was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2025 for the seventh consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit http://www.avangrid.com.