Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Phase Two Update: CenterPoint Energy completes 100% of all critical resiliency actions early and ahead of 2025 hurricane season

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) has completed Phase Two of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. Over the past 10 months, during Phases One and Two, the company has implemented significant grid infrastructure improvements including: installation of 26,000+ storm-resilient poles, undergrounding of 400+ miles of power lines, addition of 5,150 automation devices, clearing of 6,000+ miles of vegetation, and installation of 100 weather monitoring stations. These improvements are expected to reduce outages by more than 125 million minutes annually. The company completed all critical resiliency actions ahead of its June 1 self-imposed deadline and plans to announce updated GHRI targets for the remainder of 2025 in early June.

Positive

• Early completion of all critical resiliency actions ahead of 2025 hurricane season
• Expected reduction of outages by more than 125 million minutes annually
• Installation of 26,000+ stronger, storm-resilient poles for extreme wind resistance
• Undergrounding of 400+ miles of power lines for improved grid resilience
• Implementation of 5,150 automated reliability devices for faster restoration times
• Installation of 100 weather monitoring stations for improved storm preparation

Negative

• None.

Insights

Utilities Infrastructure Analyst

CenterPoint's completed grid resiliency improvements will significantly reduce outages and strengthen competitive positioning in the regulated utility space.

CenterPoint Energy has completed Phase Two of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) ahead of schedule, demonstrating exceptional operational execution. The company's investments in critical infrastructure represent a substantial enhancement to its service reliability metrics - the projected reduction of 125 million customer outage minutes annually translates to approximately 2.4 minutes saved per customer per year across their service territory.

The scale of these improvements is particularly notable: 26,000+ storm-resilient poles, 400+ miles of undergrounded power lines, 5,150+ automation devices, 6,000+ miles of vegetation management, and 100+ weather monitoring stations. This comprehensive approach addresses multiple failure points during extreme weather events.

For utilities, reliability metrics directly impact regulatory relationships and potential rate case outcomes. The early completion demonstrates strong project management capabilities and efficient capital deployment. CenterPoint's focus on creating "the most resilient coastal grid in the nation" positions them favorably in the regulatory environment, potentially supporting future rate base growth.

The strategic timing ahead of hurricane season is particularly advantageous, as it should result in fewer outages, faster restoration times, and lower storm restoration costs this year - all of which impact the company's financial performance. The announcement of additional GHRI targets coming in June suggests a sustained capital investment program, which typically translates to regulated growth opportunities for utility investors.

Over last 10 months, during Phase One and Two, CenterPoint has installed more than 26,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles; undergrounded 400 miles of power lines; added 5,150 automation devices; cleared more than 6,000 miles of higher-risk vegetation; and installed 100 weather monitoring stations around the Greater Houston area

Actions will improve reliability for customers and reduce outages by more than 125 million minutes annually

Company to announce the remainder of GHRI 2025 targets in early June

HOUSTON, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, as part of the second phase of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), CenterPoint Energy announced that it has completed 100% of all grid resiliency improvements early and ahead of the official start of the 2025 hurricane season. 

Ahead of the June 1 self-imposed deadline, CenterPoint has completed all of its key actions of GHRI Phase Two including installing more than 25,000 stronger, storm-resilient poles; undergrounding more than 400 miles of power lines; adding 4,850 more automated devices capable of self-healing; clearing an additional 4,000 miles of higher-risk vegetation; and, for the first time ever, installing 100+ advanced weather monitoring stations across the Greater Houston area. Overall, these resiliency actions are expected to reduce outages for customers by more than 125 million minutes annually. 

"The early completion of Phase Two of our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative is a testament to the hard work, dedication and collaboration of our teams and partners. Finishing this vital work ahead of the 2025 hurricane season underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing the resiliency and reliability of our energy infrastructure for the customers and communities we're privileged to serve. This is just one more step on our journey to build and operate the most resilient coastal grid in the nation," said CenterPoint Energy President and CEO Jason Wells.

"We are proud of all of the major milestones our teams diligently delivered over the last 10 months as part of GHRI Phase One and Phase Two," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint Energy's Electric Business. "I want to underscore that we aren't stopping. There is more work to come throughout the summer and the rest of the year. We understand the critical role we play in powering lives and businesses every single day, and this proactive suite of actions strengthens our ability to deliver for Houston and the Gulf Coast when they need us most."

In early June, CenterPoint will announce an updated approach for GHRI for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.

Combined Statistics: CenterPoint GHRI Phase One and Phase Two resiliency actions 

Since launching GHRI in response to Hurricane Beryl last summer, CenterPoint has made progress on the historic series of critical resiliency improvements across both Phase One and Phase Two. When combined, the company has completed the following actions:

• Installed or replaced more than 26,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles built to withstand extreme winds;
• Undergrounded more than 400 miles of power lines to improve overall resiliency;
• Installed more than 5,150 more automated reliability devices and intelligent grid switching devices to reduce the impact of outages and improve restoration times;
• Cleared more than 6,000 miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines to reduce storm-related outages; and
• Installed 100 weather monitoring stations to improve situational awareness and storm preparation.

For more information on CenterPoint's GHRI actions and improvements ahead of hurricane season, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-looking statements
This news release, as well as the website pages related to the GHRI, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding the GHRI and longer-term resiliency plans, including effectiveness, timing and related matters, are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI speaks only as of the date of this release or the date that such statement is made, as applicable. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) business strategies and strategic initiatives, restructurings, joint ventures, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses involving CenterPoint Energy or its industry; (2) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (3) financial market and general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and political actions or developments; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc

FAQ

What improvements has CenterPoint Energy (CNP) completed in its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative?

CenterPoint Energy has installed 26,000+ storm-resilient poles, undergrounded 400+ miles of power lines, added 5,150 automation devices, cleared 6,000+ miles of vegetation, and installed 100 weather monitoring stations.

How much will CNP's grid improvements reduce power outages in Houston?

The resiliency actions are expected to reduce outages by more than 125 million minutes annually for customers in the Greater Houston area.

When will CenterPoint Energy announce the next phase of GHRI targets for 2025?

CenterPoint Energy plans to announce an updated approach for GHRI and new targets for the remainder of 2025 in early June.

What prompted CenterPoint Energy's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative?

The GHRI was launched in response to Hurricane Beryl during the summer of 2024 to improve grid resilience and reliability.

How many automated reliability devices has CNP installed in the Houston area?

CenterPoint Energy has installed more than 5,150 automated reliability devices and intelligent grid switching devices to reduce outage impact and improve restoration times.