Eversource Starts Construction on Greater Cambridge Energy Program, Including Only Underground Substation of its Kind in the U.S.
Eversource (NYSE: ES) has initiated construction of the Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), featuring the largest underground substation in the U.S. The 35,000-square-foot facility will be built 105 feet underground beneath new public green space between Broadway and Binney Street.
The project includes construction of eight new 115 kV underground transmission lines spanning 8.3 miles through Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, along with upgrades to five substations and 48 new distribution lines. The substation will enable 100% residential heating electrification and can displace 50% of commercial sector gas demand.
GCEP is expected to begin service in 2029 with complete implementation through 2031, supporting approximately 500 full-time jobs during construction. The program aims to address increased electric demand, enhance system resiliency, and support regional electrification and decarbonization goals.
Eversource (NYSE: ES) ha avviato la costruzione del Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), che comprende la più grande sottostazione sotterranea degli Stati Uniti. La struttura di 35.000 piedi quadrati sarà costruita a 105 piedi di profondità, sotto un nuovo spazio verde pubblico tra Broadway e Binney Street.
Il progetto prevede la costruzione di otto nuove linee di trasmissione sotterranee da 115 kV che si estendono per 8,3 miglia attraverso Cambridge, Somerville e Boston, insieme all'aggiornamento di cinque sottostazioni e 48 nuove linee di distribuzione. La sottostazione consentirà l'elettrificazione totale del riscaldamento residenziale e potrà sostituire il 50% della domanda di gas del settore commerciale.
Si prevede che il GCEP inizi a fornire servizi nel 2029 e che l'implementazione completa si concluda entro il 2031, creando circa 500 posti di lavoro a tempo pieno durante la costruzione. Il programma mira a affrontare l'aumento della domanda di elettricità, migliorare la resilienza del sistema e supportare gli obiettivi di elettrificazione e decarbonizzazione regionale.
Eversource (NYSE: ES) ha iniciado la construcción del Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), que contará con la subestación subterránea más grande de los EE. UU. La instalación de 35,000 pies cuadrados se construirá a 105 pies bajo tierra, bajo un nuevo espacio verde público entre Broadway y Binney Street.
El proyecto incluye la construcción de ocho nuevas líneas de transmisión subterráneas de 115 kV que se extenderán a lo largo de 8.3 millas a través de Cambridge, Somerville y Boston, además de mejoras en cinco subestaciones y 48 nuevas líneas de distribución. La subestación permitirá la electrificación del calentamiento residencial al 100% y podrá desplazar el 50% de la demanda de gas del sector comercial.
Se espera que el GCEP comience a operar en 2029, con la implementación completa hasta 2031, apoyando aproximadamente 500 empleos a tiempo completo durante la construcción. El programa tiene como objetivo hacer frente al aumento de la demanda eléctrica, mejorar la resiliencia del sistema y apoyar las metas de electrificación y descarbonización regional.
Eversource (NYSE: ES)는 미국에서 가장 큰 지하 변전소를 포함하는 Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP)의 건설을 시작했습니다. 35,000 평방 피트의 시설은 Broadway와 Binney Street 사이의 새로운 공공 녹지 공간 아래 105피트 깊이에 건설될 예정입니다.
이 프로젝트에는 Cambridge, Somerville 및 Boston을 8.3 마일 동안 가로지르는 8개의 새로운 115 kV 지하 송전선 건설과 5개의 변전소 및 48개의 새로운 배전선의 업그레이드가 포함됩니다. 이 변전소는 100% 가정용 난방 전기를 가능하게 하고 상업 부문의 가스 수요를 50%까지 대체할 수 있습니다.
GCEP는 2029년에 서비스를 시작하고 2031년까지 완전 실행될 예정이며, 건설 기간 동안 약 500개의 정규직 일자리를 지원합니다. 이 프로그램은 증가하는 전기 수요를 해결하고 시스템의 회복력을 강화하며 지역 전기화 및 탈탄소화 목표를 지원하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
Eversource (NYSE: ES) a lancé la construction du Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), qui comprend la plus grande sous-station souterraine des États-Unis. L'installation de 35 000 pieds carrés sera construite à 105 pieds sous terre, sous un nouvel espace vert public entre Broadway et Binney Street.
Le projet inclut la construction de huit nouvelles lignes de transmission souterraines de 115 kV s'étendant sur 8,3 miles à travers Cambridge, Somerville et Boston, ainsi que la modernisation de cinq sous-stations et 48 nouvelles lignes de distribution. La sous-station permettra une électrification à 100 % du chauffage résidentiel et pourra remplacer 50 % de la demande en gaz du secteur commercial.
Le GCEP devrait commencer à fonctionner en 2029, avec une mise en œuvre complète d'ici 2031, soutenant environ 500 emplois à temps plein pendant la construction. Le programme vise à répondre à l'augmentation de la demande électrique, à améliorer la résilience du système et à soutenir les objectifs d'électrification et de décarbonisation régionaux.
Eversource (NYSE: ES) hat den Bau des Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP) initiiert, das die größte unterirdische Umspannstation in den USA umfasst. Die 35.000 Quadratfuß große Einrichtung wird 105 Fuß unter der Erde, unter einem neuen öffentlichen Grünbereich zwischen der Broadway- und der Binney-Straße errichtet.
Das Projekt umfasst den Bau von acht neuen 115 kV unterirdischen Übertragungsleitungen, die sich über 8,3 Meilen durch Cambridge, Somerville und Boston erstrecken, sowie die Aufrüstung von fünf Umspannstationen und 48 neuen Verteilungsleitungen. Die Umspannstation ermöglicht die Elektrifizierung von 100 % der Heizversorgung im Wohnbereich und kann die Gasnachfrage im Gewerbesektor um 50 % ersetzen.
Es wird erwartet, dass das GCEP 2029 in Betrieb geht und die vollständige Umsetzung bis 2031 erfolgt, wobei während der Bauphase etwa 500 Vollzeitarbeitsplätze unterstützt werden. Das Programm zielt darauf ab, der erhöhten Elektrizitätsnachfrage gerecht zu werden, die Systemresilienz zu verbessern und die regionalen Elektrifizierungs- und Dekarbonisierungsziele zu unterstützen.
- Construction of largest underground substation in U.S. (35,000 sq ft)
- Project will support 500 full-time jobs during construction
- Infrastructure enables 100% residential heating electrification
- Capacity to displace 50% of commercial sector gas demand
- Expansion includes 8.3 miles of transmission lines and 48 new distribution lines
- Extended implementation timeline (2029-2031)
- Significant infrastructure investment and construction costs
Insights
The Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP) marks a strategic infrastructure expansion that positions Eversource (ES) at the forefront of urban grid modernization. The project's centerpiece - a 35,000-square-foot underground substation - represents more than just innovative engineering; it's a scalable solution for high-density urban areas facing similar energy transition challenges.
Key investment considerations include:
- The project's timeline (2029-2031) provides a clear pathway for predictable revenue growth and regulatory returns
- Creation of 500 full-time jobs indicates significant economic impact and project scale
- Infrastructure capacity to support 100% residential heating electrification and 50% commercial gas-to-electric conversion positions ES favorably in the clean energy transition
- The public-private partnership model with BXP reduces development risks and demonstrates effective capital allocation
The underground design, while initially more capital-intensive, offers superior resilience against climate events and reduces long-term maintenance costs. This approach could become a blueprint for urban utility infrastructure, potentially creating additional revenue opportunities through knowledge transfer and consulting services to other utilities facing similar urban density challenges.
This infrastructure initiative strategically positions Eversource to capitalize on three major energy transition trends:
- Accelerating electrification of heating systems
- Growing EV charging infrastructure demands
- Integration of distributed energy resources
The project's design anticipates future load growth from clean technology adoption, creating a first-mover advantage in urban grid modernization. The capacity to support complete residential heating electrification and significant commercial sector conversion represents a clear path to sustained revenue growth as climate policies drive electrification.
Most notably, the underground substation's integration with BXP's Life Sciences Center exemplifies innovative land use in premium urban areas, potentially creating a replicable model for other dense metropolitan markets. This approach could yield significant competitive advantages as other utilities face similar urban development constraints.
Eversource breaks ground on first-of-its-kind transmission program with infrastructure that will be completely underground, more resilient to the effects of climate change, and help support electrification and decarbonization goals.
Eversource and project partners celebrate the groundbreaking for the Greater Cambridge Energy Program (Photo: Business Wire)
Innovatively designed to place a significant amount of needed infrastructure underground, GCEP includes Eversource's first underground substation — the largest in the country at 35,000 square feet. The substation will be located 105 feet underground beneath new public green space between Broadway and Binney Street and integrated into BXP's Life Sciences Center at the former Kendall Center Blue Garage site. As energy demand continues to increase in
“Working with our partners at BXP, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and the
“The GCEP is a true example of public and private partnership created to solve a critical community challenge. BXP is incredibly proud and fortunate to partner with Eversource, the CRA, and the
As part of GCEP, Eversource will also construct eight new 115 kV underground transmission lines spanning 8.3 miles through portions of
“Making the transition to a clean energy economy requires creative, tenacious partnerships like the Greater Cambridge Energy Program,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “This region is experiencing a surge of new residential and commercial development, while at the same time moving away from fossil fuels. This generates a growing demand for a reliable electrical grid. The Greater Cambridge Energy Program helps address the increased energy needs in the region, enhance the resiliency and reliability of the grid to reliably serve customers in our community, and support the decarbonization goals of both
“The CRA and the
Eversource anticipates to begin putting GCEP into service in 2029 with the energization of the substation and the first transmission line. As construction proceeds, the energy company expects that the remaining transmission lines will be put into service through 2031. Throughout the duration of the project, approximately 500 full-time jobs will be supported.
More information about the Greater Cambridge Energy Program is available here, and the livestream of the groundbreaking celebration is available to watch on Eversource’s MA Facebook page. Keeping the lines of communication open is an essential part of Eversource’s work in the community, and residents and others who are interested in the project’s progress are encouraged to sign up for project updates.
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is recognized as the #1
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250128851501/en/
William Hinkle
603-634-2228
william.hinkle@eversource.com
Source: Eversource
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