CMP Enhances Grid with Smart Devices and Security Upgrades at Auburn Substation

The improvements to the Great Falls Substation include the addition of smart devices, improving reliability for approximately 6,300 customers in the Auburn area

AUGUSTA, ME - January 19, 2026 - Central Maine Power (CMP), a subsidiary of Avangrid, has completed a series of major upgrades to its Great Falls Substation in Auburn, strengthening reliability and safety for customers. The improvements include installing smart devices to speed up restoration times during outages and replacing aging infrastructure with stronger, modern equipment. These advancements will enhance service reliability for approximately 6,300 customers in downtown Auburn and surrounding communities.

"These upgrades represent a comprehensive modernization of the Great Falls Substation," said Eric Sutton, Vice President of Electric Operations and Projects for Central Maine Power. "We've strengthened security around critical infrastructure, added protections against extreme weather, and installed smart devices and added redundancy to help reduce outages for customers. Every improvement was designed to make the grid stronger, safer, and more resilient to ensure reliable service and faster response times for thousands of customers in the Auburn area."

The project featured several key upgrades to critical systems. CMP replaced all ten circuit breakers that had been in service since 1988 and added a safety device to improve worker protection during substation maintenance. Aging electromechanical technology was replaced with advanced microprocessor relays, improving data collection and system visibility for CMP's Energy Control Center (ECC).

"With these improvements, CMP is taking meaningful steps to protect our energy future," said Maine State Sen. Bruce Bickford. "By upgrading aging infrastructure with smarter, more resilient technology, they're strengthening the grid, supporting economic growth, and improving reliability for thousands of Auburn residents. Modernizing the substation with advanced technology will make a real difference for the 6,300 neighbors who depend on reliable service every day."

Importantly, a new circuit tie was added connecting Great Falls and another substation in Lewiston. This provides a direct backup path for power to flow into this area in the event a line is impacted by an outage. This required installing new cables beneath the Cedar Street Bridge across the Androscoggin River. Security and other facility improvements were also made, including the installation of a new rubber roof on a control house structure to better protect equipment from extreme weather.

Crews completed these upgrades at the end of December without any interruptions to customers' electric service.