Reliability Roadmap: Consumers Energy Reduced Customer Power Outages an Average of 21 Minutes in 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy reported significant improvements in power reliability for its nearly 2 million customers in 2024. The company achieved a 21-minute reduction in average customer power outage duration compared to 2023, with over 93% of customers seeing power restored within 24 hours, up from 87% in 2023.

The average customer experienced 155 minutes without power in normal weather conditions in 2024, down from 176 minutes in 2023, marking a 12% improvement - the largest in the past decade. The company implemented over 1,350 major upgrades and cleared trees along 7,000 miles of electric lines as part of its Reliability Roadmap initiative.

The company's long-term goals include limiting major storm outages to no more than 100,000 customers and restoring all power within 24 hours. Improvements included new technology deployment, infrared cameras, durable iron poles, and robotic assistance.

Positive

• 21-minute reduction in average power outage duration year-over-year
• 93% of customers saw power restored within 24 hours, up from 87% in 2023
• 12% decrease in total outage minutes, largest improvement in past decade
• Completed 1,350 major upgrades and cleared 7,000 miles of electric lines

Negative

• None.

More Homes, Businesses Also Got Power Back in 24 Hours or Less

JACKSON, Mich., Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy's commitment to building a smarter and stronger electric grid led to major reliability improvements for nearly 2 million homes and businesses in 2024. The average customer experienced 21 fewer power outage minutes compared to last year, and over 93% of customers saw their power restored in less than 24 hours.

"We're excited to better serve our friends and neighbors through our Reliability Roadmap. Even with major storms and tornadoes last year, we moved closer to goals that enable better quality of life in the Michigan communities we serve," said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy's vice president of grid design. "Last year's improvements were significant, and we plan to build on them in 2025."

Consumers Energy's Reliability Roadmap has set long-term goals to have fewer power outages affecting no more than 100,000 customers, even during major storms) and to restore power to all customers in less than 24 hours.

In 2023, Consumers Energy restored power within 24 hours nearly 87% of the time. The increase to 93% represents a major step forward – the result of faster responses to catastrophic storms and ongoing investments to strengthen the grid.

The average Consumers Energy customer also went without power for 155 minutes in normal weather last year, down from 176 minutes. The 12% decrease in total minutes without power from 2023 to 2024 is the largest improvement over the past decade.

"We understand how important it is to keep the lights on for our communities who count on us, and we're driven to do better every day," said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric distribution. "We are carrying out our plan to build on this progress. When you see Consumers Energy crews at work, they're adding new technology, clearing trees away or burying power lines to build a stronger grid."

Consumers Energy carried out over 1,350 major upgrades and cleared trees, limbs and branches along 7,000 miles of electric lines last year. Other tactics included new technology, infrared cameras, more durable iron poles and even a robotic dog.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.  

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy 

 

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

How much did Consumers Energy reduce power outages in 2024?

Consumers Energy reduced average customer power outages by 21 minutes in 2024 compared to 2023, with customers experiencing an average of 155 minutes without power in normal weather conditions.

What percentage of Consumers Energy customers had power restored within 24 hours in 2024?

Over 93% of Consumers Energy customers had their power restored within 24 hours in 2024, an improvement from 87% in 2023.

What infrastructure improvements did Consumers Energy make in 2024?

Consumers Energy implemented over 1,350 major upgrades and cleared trees along 7,000 miles of electric lines, while also deploying new technology, infrared cameras, iron poles, and robotic assistance.

What are Consumers Energy's long-term reliability goals?

Consumers Energy's long-term goals include limiting major storm outages to no more than 100,000 customers and restoring power to all customers within 24 hours.