VIDEO: Largest 2024 CMP Reliability Project is Energized

On Sunday, August 4, power began flowing through the 22-mile Section 80 transmission line between Windsor and Warren.


Augusta, ME — August 9, 2024 – This week, the newly rebuilt Section 80 of Central Maine Power (CMP)’s transmission system was energized, capping off a $75 million reliability project that is now delivering electricity to Midcoast Maine and the wider New England grid through a new, higher capacity transmission line.

The Section 80 Rebuild was approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) in 2022 and involved replacing wooden structures along this 115-kilovolt line with stronger poles made of steel and installing new wire. This project was also completed more than four months early and with approximately $10 million in cost savings achieved by CMP.

Not only are these structures less susceptible to the impacts of strong storms, but the capacity of this line is better suited to connect more renewable energy to the grid, helping Maine meet its clean energy goals.

“In short, upgrading transmission infrastructure like this is one of the best tools we have to withstand the impacts of stronger storms,” said Jon Breed, spokesperson for Central Maine Power. “As more and more renewable projects are built here in Maine, we’re proud to put our expertise to work connecting even more clean energy to the grid.”

Below is a link to downloadable B/Roll and a project summary video of the energization and work on CMP’s Section 80:

B/Roll Sequence showing Section 80 energization on 8/4/2024 as well as video from earlier in the year of work being performed.

Summary Video with CMP Unit Manager, Josh Teel, on energization of Section 80

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