CMP Highlights Value of Covered Tree Wire in Strengthening Reliability and Managing Costs
Targeted installation helps reduce outages, limit costly repairs, and support long-term affordability for customers (pictured: 10-foot tree limb hanging on covered tree wire in Readfield, Maine with no service disruption for more than 2,000 CMP customers)
Augusta, ME – Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., is highlighting the ongoing benefits of covered tree wire as part of its efforts to strengthen reliability and better manage long-term costs for customers across Maine.
Covered tree wire, which is distribution line equipped with a protective covering, helps reduce outages caused by contact with branches and debris, which are the leading drivers of service interruptions on Maine’s electric system. By limiting the likelihood of electrical faults when vegetation comes into contact with power lines, these upgrades help keep power flowing even in heavily wooded areas.
CMP has been strategically installing covered tree wire in locations where it can deliver the greatest benefit, particularly in areas more prone to tree-related interruptions. This strategy is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of outages, improve service consistency, and avoid the need for costly emergency repairs and restoration work.
“Covered tree wire is a practical, proven way to make the grid more resilient while also helping manage costs over time,” said Eric Sutton, Vice President of Electric Operations and Projects for Central Maine Power. “Because trees and limbs are the leading cause of outages on our system, strengthening lines to better withstand that contact helps prevent disruptions before they occur.”
Across CMP’s 11,000-square-mile service territory, most tree-related outages stem from smaller branches and limbs rather than full tree falls. These types of incidents can still trigger outages and drive significant restoration costs. By reducing these interruptions, covered wire helps limit the need for reactive repairs and supports a more efficient approach to vegetation management.
Solutions like covered tree wire are part of CMP’s broader approach to modernizing its grid, improving reliability, and delivering long-term value for customers. By focusing on targeted, cost-effective upgrades, the company is working to strengthen the system in ways that reduce disruption and help keep service more consistent over time.
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