Two decades ago, our winter mornings would start with system-wide load checks. At that time this was a manual process to ensure distribution lines and devices did not become overloaded or unbalanced.
We would travel to certain points on our grid using an amp meter attached to a long fiberglass stick to measure the current and confirm that the amperage was within operating limits. If it were not, there was a risk of prolonged outages from overloads or imbalances. These checks while critical were ultimately only providing us with a point-in-time snapshot of the grid’s condition.
Over the past twenty years, we have made remarkable progress. Thanks to electronic line sensors, advance metering systems, outage management tools, and engineering software, we now possess the data and analytics that help us monitor and forecast system loads. Most significantly, these advancements allow us to anticipate overloads and imbalances before they happen, enabling a preventive rather than reactive approach.
Thanks to advancements and the dedication of our workforce, we have steadily decreased annual outage minutes for each member. In 2025, we achieved our second-best outage performance, recording only 48 minutes per member, well below the five-year average, which places us alongside the top 18% of cooperatives nationwide. The primary causes of outages that year were vegetation and wildlife, but we are taking focused action through proper right-of-way maintenance and projects to shield infrastructure from animals like squirrels, birds, and even turkeys.
We cannot afford to pause, as reliability requires an ongoing investment in our grid. In 2025, we launched a system inventory study, to accurately map and catalog our grid’s assets. This will help us adopt new technology and improve outage response times since we will know exactly what materials and equipment are at each pole and location before sending out crews.
For infrastructure improvements, in 2025, we added an extra circuit to the Emerald Isle substation to support growth and provide redundancy. Equipment at the Pine Knoll Shores substation was upgraded and rebuilt to enhance system protection and make future maintenance easier. Over 1.5 miles of overhead conductors were replaced across the grid, and we started a major project to upgrade a four-mile distribution line in Cedar Island, aimed at strengthening the local grid’s ability to recover after severe storms.
In 2026, we plan to complete both the Cedar Island line upgrade and the system inventory. We also intend to upgrade the Havelock and Harlowe substations, which includes replacing transformers and related equipment.
Additionally, we plan to rebuild two key sections of our transmission grid, modernizing transmission infrastructure, boosting efficiency, expanding capacity, and improving system resilience. Planned enhancements feature advanced overhead conductors and reinforced transmission lines along Hibbs Road and Highway 58, stretching from Atlantic Beach to Pine Knoll Shores. Engineering is scheduled to start this year with construction in 2027.
Thank you for allowing us to serve you as we believe our commitment to reliability and advancement goes beyond infrastructure and technology alone. It reflects our responsibility to the people and communities we serve.
Every upgrade, every repair, and every technology we deploy is an investment in your daily life—from the comfort of your home to the success of local businesses and schools.