Eversource Delivers Significant Reliability Improvements to Customers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

As 2015 comes to a close, Eversource is pleased its customers are seeing an increase in reliability. Significant investments in the Massachusetts electric grid are proving their worth, with outages happening less frequently and lasting less time when they do occur. In Massachusetts, Eversource is investing $800 million this year alone in its system to ensure safe and reliable service to its customers.

Since the company's 2012 merger, the frequency of outages across Eversource's service area has decreased by 18 percent and the amount of time it takes to restore power when it does go out has decreased by 26 percent. These achievements are the result of the company strengthening its electric system with the latest technology designed to make the grid smarter and more resilient. Year-round attention to reducing tree-related power outages also plays a critical role in the improved reliability Eversource customers are experiencing.

"The reliability improvements we're seeing clearly show our investments in the electric system are benefiting our customers," said Craig Hallstrom, President of Massachusetts Electric Operations at Eversource. "We all remember the historic storms of the last several years – building a better, stronger, smarter grid will improve reliability for our customers no matter the weather."

Every year, Eversource undertakes several upgrade projects regionally and locally to improve reliability and ensure the grid is ready to meet customers' electricity needs. Over the past few years, these projects have included upgrading critical electrical substations; improving the strength and resiliency of transmission lines; adding state-of-the art automation; and converting older sections of local electrical circuits to higher voltages. Also, because trees are the region's number one cause of power outages, the company's vegetation management program is an integral part of its reliability plan. In 2015, Eversource arborists in Massachusetts oversaw an effort to prune trees along approximately 2,500 miles of power lines across the state.

"We're grateful that our regulators recognize the value of investing in the electric grid to improve resiliency and reliability," added Hallstrom. "With their support, we're committed to continuing with our system improvement plans in 2016 and beyond."

For more information about how Eversource is working to ensure the electric system keeps pace with the region's growing power needs, while also lessening the effects of severe weather, visit Eversource.com.

Eversource ES transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.7 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.4 million electric customers in 140 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of its approximately 8,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of delivering reliable energy and superior customer service. For more information, please visit our website (www.eversource.com) and follow us on Twitter (@eversourceMA) and Facebook (facebook.com/EversourceMA).

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