What Does Reliability Mean to Me?

The purpose of the Maine Power Reliability Program, and every CMP initiative, is to improve the reliability of our power grid. But what does improving reliability really mean?

Keeping the Lights On

Currently, our power grid, like many in country, already handles electric loads higher than it should according to new reliability regulations. For our grid to handle these loads, new transmission lines and substations have to be built. Additional transmission lines and substations in Maine's power grid will enable the system to handle the current and projected electric loads, even in the event of damaged lines or equipment. Additionally, the MPRP will help prevent more outages through the upgrades being performed on existing transmission lines and substations. The new equipment will improve the grid's strength against natural stressors like weather and wildlife. These improvements will help prevent rolling blackouts like the one in 2003 that prompted federal action to improve our nation's electric grid, as well as blackouts here in Maine.

Reliability means being there when you flip the switch.

While MPRP was designated primarily to prevent large-scale outages by strengthening the transmission system, we often lose power because the distribution lines or transformers near our home become damaged. These local outages are often caused by severe weather, wildlife, trees or other natural impacts. While improvements to the distribution system are not a part of the MPRP, CMP has several system betterment initiatives underway to improve the strength and reliability of its distribution system, including a system-wide vegetation management program to prevent trees from impacting the lines.

To find out more about CMP's other reliability initiatives, click here.