Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) recently revealed that it is investing $533 million this year in enhancements in its electrical distribution system throughout New York City and Westchester, as the company met the challenge to complete permanent underground restoration work in lower Manhattan in time for Summer 2002.
Company officials announced the on-going infrastructure improvements as Con Edison crews removed the last of the 36 miles of emergency street-level electric cables. They were installed to restore service quickly to businesses and residents following the World Trade Center terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.
As part of Con Edison's summer preparation, the company's capital program this year includes investing:
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$408 million on the distribution system, including $85 million for upgrades to cables and transformers;
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$33 million on transmission upgrades; and
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$92 million on substation installations and circuit breakers.
In addition, the company said it would spend an additional $116 million this year for repairs and enhancements to the electrical systems that were damaged or destroyed in lower Manhattan on September 11. Work completed for the summer season's peak demand period includes:
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Replacement of 190 miles of underground and aerial feeder cables;
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Replacement of 480 thermally sensitive cable joints;
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Installation of 178 transformers;
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Enhancement and upgrading of 7 electrical (4kV) unit substations; and
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Replacement of switchgear in 2 (4kV) unit substations.
“We are very proud of the 2,000 men and women who worked around the clock to get downtown back in business and restore electric, gas and steam service to customers, said Louis Rana, vice president of Manhattan electric operations. “There is still more work ahead of us in lower Manhattan, but we accomplished what we set out to do in time for summer.”