NYSEG Begins Substation Upgrades in Orchard Park

Big Tree Road substation expansion to increase reliability

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —September 14, 2020 — NYSEG, subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., announced today it has begun upgrades to its Big Tree Road substation in Orchard Park as part of the company’s commitment to provide safe and reliable service to all customers. The project will expand the facility’s ability to meet the growing demand for additional power in the Buffalo region and create a more reliable and resilient energy grid. 

Substations play a crucial role in the electrical transmission and distribution systems. One of its main functions is to lower voltage electricity so it can be easily supplied to homes and businesses through distribution lines.

“We’re excited to get the Big Tree substation expansion project underway, which will bring increased reliability to nearly 4,000 customers in Orchard Park,” said Mike Craven, Vice President of Electric Operations at NYSEG. “We take the responsibility of providing our customers with safe and reliable service very seriously and our customers rely on us. This expansion is an important improvement for us to ensure safe, uninterrupted service now and in the future.”
 
The expansion will be constructed adjacent to and north of the existing substation. As part of the project, NYSEG’s two existing 115kV transmission lines will be reconfigured along with transmission line reroutes required to establish connection between the existing lines and the expanded substation. The project is estimated to be complete and in service by 2022.
 
The Big Tree substation expansion is one off the several local investments NYSEG is making in its delivery system to provide additional power to meet growing demand, increase reliability, and accommodate growth and economic development in its service areas. Currently, the company is also completing maintenance upgrades and aesthetic improvements to the Prospect Avenue substation in Hamburg.

NYSEG advises customers that temporary and minor increases in construction-related traffic are expected during the project period. A dedicated access road, located at 5397 Big Tree Road, will allow for construction activity to occur without inconveniencing private landowners near the substation.

“We thank our customers who neighbor the substation in advance for their patience and understanding as construction begins,” Craven said. “We will work hard to create minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhoods as we complete this crucial upgrade to our system.” 

# # #

About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40% of upstate New York. It also operates more than 8,150 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information, visit www.nyseg.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $35 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States.

AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

 

Learn about the Iberdrola Group’s global pandemic response at its COVID-19 Hub.

 

Media Contacts:

 

Node: liferay-3:8080