Delmarva Power customers experience best reliability for third straight year
For the third straight year, Delmarva Power customers experienced record-breaking electric service reliability, a result of the company’s ongoing efforts to modernize the local energy grid.
Delmarva Power customers experienced the lowest frequency of electric outages ever in 2019, marking a 9 percent decrease from the previous low set in 2018.
Improvements include a 36 percent decrease in the frequency of electric outages customers experienced during the past five years, thanks to energy system upgrades and new innovative technologies. In 2019, on average, customers experienced less than one outage over the course of the year, and if service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in about 94 minutes.
“The unwavering commitment our employees have to providing the best possible service for our customers is key to our repeated success,” said Tyler Anthony, senior vice president and COO, Pepco Holdings, which includes Delmarva Power. “Through their hard work, and our integration of advanced technologies and industry best practices, we continue to meet our customers’ evolving energy needs and be a leader in the delivery of clean, safe and reliable energy.”
Delmarva Power’s record-breaking reliability also was recognized by PA Consulting, which presented the company with its 2019 ReliabilityOne Outstanding Midsize Utility Award for providing customers with exceptional service reliability.
Each day, work is performed as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to further improve reliability for customers. This includes inspecting existing infrastructure, trimming trees that could potentially impact the system, building new substations, building new underground equipment, strengthening transmission and distribution lines, and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. The company also is installing innovative technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service more quickly or isolate damage.
In 2020, Delmarva Power will perform work on several major projects as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance reliability and modernize the local energy grid, all to provide customers with the reliable energy service they have come to expect. Among these project is the Cool Springs to Indian River Transmission Line Rebuild, which replaces existing transmission and distribution lines, modernizing the local energy grid and improving reliability for 75,800 customers in Sussex County.
