Avangrid Deploys 73 Line Crews to Support Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

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09/28/2024 - 02:10 PM

Avangrid’s electric utilities in New York, Connecticut, and Maine responded to assistance requests after hurricane left millions without power across the Southeast

Crews are being sent to communities in Virginia and North Carolina to help clean up damage and restore power to customers

B/Roll of crews departing to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts can be viewed HERE

ORANGE, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a leading sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, announced today that its electric utility companies in New York, Connecticut, and Maine will deploy lineworkers and damage assessment teams to support electric power recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 hurricane left millions without power across the Southeast.

Safety briefing with Avangrid crews going to help clean up damage and restore power to customers in the Southeast (Photo: Business Wire)

Avangrid crews will depart for cities and towns in Virginia and North Carolina on Saturday, and they expect to get to work restoring power as soon as they arrive. The formal request for assistance was made through the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group.

“We are committed to restoring power whenever and wherever help is needed,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “Mutual assistance is an essential part of any wide-scale power restoration effort. Our line crews are some of the best in the industry, and I know they are eager to get to work to support the millions of Americans affected by this storm. I am proud of the work we continue to do both at home and across the region to ensure all communities are safe after a major weather event."

Restoring electricity after a major storm is a complex task, and a safe and efficient restoration process requires significant logistical expertise, skilled lineworkers, and specialized equipment. Electric companies affected by significant outages often turn to the industry’s mutual assistance network – a voluntary partnership of electric companies from across the United States and Canada – to help speed restoration. For example, Avangrid companies sent crews to assist in storm recovery efforts after Hurricane Fiona devastated Nova Scotia in 2022.

In total, 198 internal line workers, damage assessors, and support staff will be supporting recovery efforts. Each line crew consists of a team of two lineworkers.

In New York, NYSEG & RG&E will be sending 25 crews.
In Connecticut, United Illuminating will be sending 28 crews.
In Maine, Central Maine Power will be sending 20 crews.

B/Roll of Avangrid crews departing to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. News media has rights-free permission to use this content.

Most large electric utility companies rely on an established network of crews to restore power in their service areas following large-scale outages. Before releasing any crews to work with other utilities, Avangrid evaluates the needs of its own service area and customers, and the likelihood of any forecasted severe weather events. In the event of an emergency, crews can be recalled.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $46 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens – in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.