#United States #Houston #CenterPoint Energy #Houston Resiliency #Hurricane Season

CenterPoint Energy's Remarkable Advances in Resilience Initiatives

As Houston gears up for the 2025 hurricane season, CenterPoint Energy has showcased remarkable progress in the second phase of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). Recently, the company announced that it has successfully completed approximately 70% of the critical resilience work planned for the region. This significant achievement comes as part of a broader effort aimed at enhancing the city's infrastructure in anticipation of extreme weather conditions.

Over the past several months, CenterPoint has actively executed a series of ambitious projects. The company reported the undergrounding of nearly 350 miles of power lines, exceeding 85% of its target of 400 miles. This strategy aims to minimize the risk associated with overhead power lines during storm events. Additionally, the utility firm has installed over 17,500 new, stronger poles designed to withstand severe wind conditions, ensuring better service reliability during storms.

To further bolster its resilience efforts, CenterPoint has been proactive in clearing over 2,900 miles of high-risk vegetation surrounding power lines. This vital action directly contributes to reducing potential outages and enhances the overall safety of the electrical grid. Moreover, 3,380 automated reliability devices have been incorporated into the grid infrastructure. These devices can self-heal during outages, minimizing the duration and frequency of service interruptions for customers.

Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business, commented, “Our entire team is focused on completing this historic suite of grid resiliency actions before the start of hurricane season. To date, we have made significant progress, and our ultimate goal is to build the most resilient coastal grid in the country.”

Looking Forward

As part of its ongoing efforts, CenterPoint plans to install 100 new weather monitoring stations across the Greater Houston area by June 1. These stations will provide real-time weather data and improve situational awareness and preparedness ahead of storms. This proactive measure is expected to enhance the utility's response capabilities, allowing for a swift and efficient reaction during extreme weather events.

In addition to infrastructural improvements, CenterPoint is enhancing its communication strategies. The company is engaging with local communities to inform residents about safety measures and preparedness tips. This commitment to customer communication ensures that residents stay informed and equipped to handle emergencies effectively.

The Bigger Picture

The GHRI represents a historic commitment by CenterPoint to improve the reliability of the electrical grid in the wake of increasing hurricane threats. Such comprehensive actions are crucial, especially considering that the company estimates that these enhancements will lead to a reduction in outages by more than 125 million minutes annually for Houston customers.

Continuing its dedication to resilience, CenterPoint will keep the public updated on its progress toward completing these imperative actions as part of the GHRI. Residents can stay informed by visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction for real-time updates.

As we look ahead to the upcoming hurricane season, the work being done by CenterPoint not only aims to improve reliability but also reinforces the safety and well-being of the communities they serve. Through strategic planning and execution, the company is making strides in ensuring that Greater Houston is better equipped to face the uncertainties of severe weather.