Gulf Power, Pensacola to partner on upgrading underground energy grid network
Gulf Power announced recently that it will partner with the City of Pensacola, Florida, on an $83 million project to modernize the downtown’s underground power-grid network.
The five-year project is expected to begin early this year.
“These projects are part of Gulf Power’s five-year program to replace and upgrade systems to better serve our customers in the downtown area,” Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “Although the power network has been meticulously maintained over the years, it is 70 years old, and the time has come to replace outdated equipment and update the system. These upgrades will improve reliability through updated smart grid monitoring devices that can speed up power restoration.”
Late last summer, Gulf Power crews also replaced and consolidated utility poles as well as removed overhead line crossings and transformers.
The company has invested a total of approximately $225 million in infrastructure upgrades across the region. Gulf Power reports that the energy grid upgrades have improved service reliability by almost 20 percent since 2010.
“The existing systems downtown have served the area well for many years,” DelaHaya said. “We are upgrading the system and ushering in a new era of reliability and redundancies to continue to provide safe, reliable service to area homes and businesses. This is just a part of the many investments Gulf Power is making to ensure we continue to maintain high reliability. From investing in technologies and upgrades to adding renewables to our portfolio, we are making sure customers can count on us for their energy needs today and well into the future.”
