Avangrid Mobilizes Skilled Workforce in CMP, Restoring 250,000 Affected Customers in a Storm Aftermath

By Moon Harper

Dec 21, 2023 04:50 AM EST

Avangrid, Inc. is sending workers and a mobile command center to help Central Maine Power (CMP) restore power after a severe windstorm affected over 400,000 customers this week.

Avangrid, Inc., a prominent sustainable energy company and part of the esteemed Iberdrola Group, has disclosed its prompt reaction to the recent devastation caused by a strong windstorm in Maine. In a strategic move, the company has declared its intent to dispatch skilled line workers and a cutting-edge mobile command center to the affected region. This deployment aims to assist its subsidiary, Central Maine Power (CMP), as it grapples with the storm's aftermath, which left over 400,000 customers without power earlier this week.

Avangrid, Inc.

Avangrid, Inc., part of the corporate group controlled by Iberdrola, S.A., aims to be a leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Based in Orange, CT, with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid focuses on two main business lines: networks and renewables. The company supports the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals and has been named among the World's Most Ethical Companies for five consecutive years by the Ethisphere Institute.

Widespread Disruption

Widespread disruption was reported as a strong storm batters the East Coast, causing extensive flooding, power outages, cancellation of flights, and closing of schools on Monday. According to the National Weather Service report, over 500,000 customers from Virginia to New England lost power on Monday, while about 250,000, including 197,000 CMP customers, remained without power as of Wednesday. Heavy rainfall was recorded in several states, including New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania, with over 5 inches, and more than 4 inches in other areas.

Avangrid's Swift Response

Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, emphasized the crucial role of responding to emergencies in supporting communities during severe weather. He expressed gratitude to the dedicated personnel across states, highlighting their swift deployment of resources to restore power and their tireless efforts to assist communities in need during this critical time.

"Responding to emergencies is one of the most important ways to support our customers and communities during severe weather. I thank the men and women from our companies for their commitment. They are working tirelessly during this critical time to help our communities in need." Business Wire reported.

Avangrid dispatches 60 lineworkers and a mobile command center from its subsidiaries, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and United Illuminating (U.I.) in Connecticut. Although NYSEG and U.I. faced storm impacts, they've already restored power to their customers. The extra crews and equipment are set to assist ongoing efforts in Maine, where hundreds of crews are tirelessly addressing challenges like damaged trees and poles, road washouts, and area flooding to restore power to the remaining 250,000 affected customers after the recent storm.

Avangrid continues its commitment to aiding severely affected service areas by deploying resources from its multi-state network. This initiative follows the company's previous deployment of personnel and equipment during Hurricane Lee and the Christmas winter storm in 2023.