New CMP Smart Grid Facility in Westbrook Now Energized (B/Roll)

Facility is CMP's first fully enclosed switching station to use pre-built components

Westbrook, ME - May 19, 2026 - Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., today announced its new switching station at Rock Row in Westbrook is now providing reliability benefits to thousands of Maine customers in Westbrook and Portland.

"This is another exciting milestone taking shape here in Westbrook," said Westbrook Mayor David Morse. "This switching station is a major step forward with reliable, modern infrastructure like this that is essential to unlocking economic development in both our city and our state. Developers look for strong, dependable power when deciding where to invest, and this project will be a true game changer for Rock Row and the surrounding area. Beyond the local impact, it also strengthens regional reliability, especially during extreme weather events. We're incredibly excited about what this means for Westbrook's future."

This facility has specific benefits during extreme weather and storms. The new compact gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) facility serves as a point where multiple transmission lines in these communities "link" together. In the event one line is damaged due to an extreme storm, the smart technology in the facility can "move" customers from one line to the other remotely. This provides a backup route for power to flow to customers.

"We are grateful for our partnership with the Rock Row team and the City of Westbrook on this project," said Linda Ball, President and CEO of Central Maine Power. "Switching stations are an important 21st-century tool that helps us reduce the length and frequency of outages for thousands of customers. That reliability is especially important when those customers provide critical services, such as the healthcare offered at Rock Row. That's why we are focused on making smart, targeted investments that can make a real difference in Mainers' lives."

"We're thrilled to mark the official energization of CMP's new switching station at Rock Row," said Neal Shalom, Chairman of Waterstone Development. "Projects like this are only possible through strong collaboration, and we've had an outstanding partnership with CMP and the City of Westbrook every step of the way. From Augusta to Portland, the process has been defined by openness, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to getting it right. The people of Maine should be proud to have a partner like CMP that is engaged, accessible, and dedicated to supporting the state's growth."

The site is similar to CMP's recently built GIS substations in Scarborough and Wilton. Here, pre-fabricated components offered key advantages, including less disruption to nearby facilities during construction. News media may download rights-free video of the Sept. 5, 2025, crane work at this facility HERE.