Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Phase Two Update: CenterPoint Energy completes nearly 90% of critical resiliency actions to strengthen the grid ahead of 2025 hurricane season

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) has completed nearly 90% of planned grid resiliency improvements under Phase Two of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. Key achievements include:

• Installation of 21,975 storm-resilient poles (target: 25,000)
• 401 miles of undergrounded power lines (100% of goal completed)
• 4,472 automation devices added (target: 4,850)
• 3,741 miles of high-risk vegetation cleared (target: 4,000)
• 84 weather monitoring stations installed (target: 100+)

The company expects to complete all remaining improvements by June 1, 2025. These resiliency actions are projected to reduce customer outages by over 125 million minutes annually.

Positive

• 100% completion of strategic undergrounding goal ahead of schedule
• 90% overall completion of grid resiliency improvements before hurricane season
• Expected reduction of over 125 million customer outage minutes annually
• Comprehensive infrastructure upgrade including automation devices for self-healing capabilities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Analyst

CenterPoint's grid resilience initiative nears 90% completion ahead of hurricane season, demonstrating strong operational execution and strategic infrastructure investment.

CenterPoint Energy's comprehensive grid resilience program is showing impressive operational execution with nearly 90% completion of critical infrastructure improvements ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. The Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) addresses multiple vulnerability points through a systematic approach, with the company installing 21,975 storm-hardened poles, undergrounding 401 miles of power lines, adding 4,472 automation devices, clearing 3,741 miles of vegetation, and deploying 84 weather monitoring stations.

The 100% completion of the strategic undergrounding component ahead of schedule is particularly significant. Underground power lines typically experience dramatically fewer weather-related outages than overhead systems, providing superior reliability during severe storms. This achievement represents strong project management capabilities and proactive storm preparation.

The company's projection that these improvements will reduce outages by more than 125 million customer minutes annually translates to meaningful reliability improvements. For context, this reduction could mean thousands of customers maintaining power during storms or experiencing significantly faster restoration times. These reliability improvements will likely be reflected in key performance metrics that regulators monitor closely.

From an infrastructure perspective, this initiative positions CenterPoint well for the upcoming hurricane season with full completion targeted by June 1 - before the most active storm months. The systematic approach addressing physical infrastructure, automation, and monitoring demonstrates a comprehensive strategy rather than piecemeal improvements.

While the press release doesn't detail the financial aspects of these investments, utilities typically include such infrastructure improvements in their rate base, potentially contributing to future regulated returns. The on-time execution suggests efficient capital deployment and strong project management capabilities - attributes that matter significantly in the utility sector where major infrastructure programs can often face delays and cost overruns.

Over the last eight months, CenterPoint has installed 21,975 stronger, more storm-resilient poles; undergrounded 401 miles of power lines; added 4,472 automation devices; cleared 3,741 miles of high-risk vegetation; and installed 84 weather monitoring stations around the Greater Houston area

100% of strategic undergrounding goal completed ahead of schedule

Company on pace to complete historic suite of Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative actions by June 1, which will improve reliability for customers and reduce outages by more than 125 million minutes annually

HOUSTON, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, as part of the second phase of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), CenterPoint Energy announced that it has completed nearly 90 percent of all planned grid resiliency improvements ahead of hurricane season. CenterPoint has completed or is on track to finish key actions by June 1 including installing 25,000 stronger, storm-resilient poles; undergrounding 400+ miles of power lines; adding 4,850 automated devices capable of self-healing; clearing 4,000 miles of higher-risk vegetation; and installing 100+ advanced weather monitoring stations across the Greater Houston area. 

As previously announced this week, the company has completed its undergrounding goal of installing 400 miles of underground power lines ahead of schedule. Overall, these resiliency actions are expected to reduce outages for customers by more than 125 million minutes annually. 

"As part of our ongoing resiliency efforts and preparations for hurricane season, the CenterPoint team has reached another key milestone in our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative. Through the end of April, we've completed nearly 90 percent of our overall grid resiliency improvements, from installing stronger poles and automation devices to clearing hazardous vegetation and undergrounding power lines, and we're on track to finish this critical work before June 1. The actions we are taking today to build a more resilient and reliable grid will enable us to better serve our customers when powerful storms and other extreme weather strike," said Nathan Brownell, CenterPoint's Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery.

CenterPoint completing all GHRI resiliency actions by June 1
Since launching Phase Two of the GHRI in September 2024, CenterPoint has made progress on the historic series of critical resiliency improvements across the Greater Houston area. Over the last month alone, the company has completed the following actions:

• Installing an additional 4,442 stronger, more storm-resilient poles built to withstand extreme winds;
• Undergrounding another 52 miles of power lines to improve overall resiliency;
• Installing 1,086 more automated reliability devices to reduce the impact of outages and improve restoration times;
• Clearing an additional 822 miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines to reduce storm-related outages; and
• Installing 84 weather monitoring stations to improve situational awareness and storm preparation.

CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its progress toward completing its critical resiliency actions and other GHRI commitments. More information and real-time updates are available at 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 and other emergency preparations 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, including expected benefits, 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 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

FAQ

What progress has CenterPoint Energy (CNP) made in its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Phase Two?

CenterPoint Energy has completed nearly 90% of planned grid improvements, including 21,975 storm-resilient poles, 401 miles of undergrounded power lines, 4,472 automation devices, and 84 weather monitoring stations. All improvements are scheduled for completion by June 1, 2025.

How many outage minutes will CNP's grid improvements reduce annually?

The resiliency actions are expected to reduce customer outages by more than 125 million minutes annually.

What is the target completion date for CenterPoint Energy's GHRI Phase Two?

CenterPoint Energy aims to complete all Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Phase Two improvements by June 1, 2025, ahead of hurricane season.

How many miles of power lines has CenterPoint Energy (CNP) undergrounded in Phase Two?

CenterPoint Energy has undergrounded 401 miles of power lines, achieving 100% of their strategic undergrounding goal ahead of schedule.

What types of infrastructure improvements is CNP implementing in Houston?

CNP is installing storm-resilient poles, undergrounding power lines, adding automated self-healing devices, clearing high-risk vegetation, and installing weather monitoring stations across Greater Houston.