Maine Public | By Peter McGuire Published December 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM EST
Central Maine Power wants to overhaul outdated electrical transmission and distribution systems around greater Portland.
The utility has proposed spending nearly $547 million in the first phase of upgrades that would include replacing and expanding poles, wires and electrical substations according to documents filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
CMP spokesperson Dustin Wlodkowski said the region is Maine's economic engine, biggest population center and host of critical services.
But its electric infrastructure is insufficient to support more development or community climate goals that call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by electrifying home appliances, heating and cooling, and transportation.
"In a nutshell, that's what we are saying we'd like to address," Wlodkowski said. "We physically need larger wire to address all the energy needs and the goals of these communities in years to come."
The proposal calls to build or expand new transmission lines and substations in Cumberland and Portland, according to the Public Utilities Commission.
"These lines really do so much more than just go through Falmouth or go through Yarmouth, they are really providing a foundation for the state's success," Wlodkowski said.
The agency is considering CMP's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity the company needs to proceed with the development.
CMP is holding open houses over the next week as part of its outreach to residents who live near the proposed upgrades and may be directly impacted by the development.
Meetings will be held in:
Portland, Dec. 9 at Presumpscot Elementary School 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Westbrook, Dec. 11 at the Westbrook Community Center, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Cumberland, Dec. 15 at the Cumberland Town Hall, 5 p.m. - 7p.m.
Central Maine Power (CMP) is proposing the Greater Portland Transmission Upgrades Project, a multi-year initiative to build a modern network of substations, upgraded infrastructure, and strengthened grid sections stretching from Yarmouth through Greater Portland.
These improvements are designed to:
Replace aging equipment.
Expand capacity to meet growing electricity demand.
Enhance the reliability of the electric system for more than 200,000 customers.
Although early in the process, this project aims to support this region’s future energy needs as more heat pumps, electric vehicles, electrified water transportation and renewable energy are utilized by our customers.
Our community partners:
City of Portland
Town of Falmouth
Town of Yarmouth
City of Westbrook
Town of Cumberland
Greater Portland Council of Governments
Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce
Community Open Houses
CMP is hosting a series of Community Open Houses in towns along the proposed route — including Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland, and Westbrook. These events will provide opportunities to learn more, ask questions, and speak directly with project representatives.
Yarmouth
Date: Monday, December 8
Time: 5pm-7pm
Location: Yarmouth Town Hall, Community Room, 200 Main Street, Yarmouth
Portland
Date: Tuesday, December 9
Time: 5pm-7pm
Location: Presumpscot Elementary School, 69 Presumpscot Street, Portland, ME 04103
Westbrook
Date: Thursday, December 11
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Westbrook Community Center
Cumberland
Date: Monday, December 15
Time: 5pm-7pm
Location: Cumberland Town Hall, 290 Tuttle Road, Cumberland Center, ME 04021
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CMP plans major grid overhaul in greater Portland
by Long Islander
15 hours ago
Maine Public | By Peter McGuire
Published December 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM EST
Central Maine Power wants to overhaul outdated electrical transmission and distribution systems around greater Portland.
The utility has proposed spending nearly $547 million in the first phase of upgrades that would include replacing and expanding poles, wires and electrical substations according to documents filed with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
CMP spokesperson Dustin Wlodkowski said the region is Maine's economic engine, biggest population center and host of critical services.
But its electric infrastructure is insufficient to support more development or community climate goals that call to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by electrifying home appliances, heating and cooling, and transportation.
"In a nutshell, that's what we are saying we'd like to address," Wlodkowski said. "We physically need larger wire to address all the energy needs and the goals of these communities in years to come."
The proposal calls to build or expand new transmission lines and substations in Cumberland and Portland, according to the Public Utilities Commission.
"These lines really do so much more than just go through Falmouth or go through Yarmouth, they are really providing a foundation for the state's success," Wlodkowski said.
The agency is considering CMP's application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity the company needs to proceed with the development.
CMP is holding open houses over the next week as part of its outreach to residents who live near the proposed upgrades and may be directly impacted by the development.
Meetings will be held in:
Portland, Dec. 9 at Presumpscot Elementary School 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Westbrook, Dec. 11 at the Westbrook Community Center, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Cumberland, Dec. 15 at the Cumberland Town Hall, 5 p.m. - 7p.m.
https://www.mainepublic.org/2025-12-09/cmp-plans-major-grid-overhaul-in-greater-portland
CMP proposes major grid upgrades to boost capacity in Greater Portland area
It’s unclear how these upgrades may impact customers’ power bills.
If the project were approved, work is expected to begin in 2027 and would take three to four years to complete.
https://wgme.com/news/local/cmp-proposes-major-grid-upgrades-to-boost-capacity-in-greater-portland-area-central-maine-power-infrastructure-power-bills
Greater Portland Transmission Upgrades Projects
Central Maine Power (CMP) is proposing the Greater Portland Transmission Upgrades Project, a multi-year initiative to build a modern network of substations, upgraded infrastructure, and strengthened grid sections stretching from Yarmouth through Greater Portland.
These improvements are designed to:
Although early in the process, this project aims to support this region’s future energy needs as more heat pumps, electric vehicles, electrified water transportation and renewable energy are utilized by our customers.
Our community partners:
Community Open Houses
CMP is hosting a series of Community Open Houses in towns along the proposed route — including Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland, and Westbrook. These events will provide opportunities to learn more, ask questions, and speak directly with project representatives.
Yarmouth
Portland
Westbrook
Cumberland
Contact us
https://www.cmpco.com/ourcompany/reliableservice/greater-portland-transmission-%20upgrades-projects
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Fair Use Notice: This website may reproduce or have links to copyrighted material the use of which has not been expressly authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available, without profit, as part of our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, economic, scientific, and related issues. It is our understanding that this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided by law. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.