Eversource announced Monday that they officially completed an energy project to deliver more power to the Island.
The Martha’s Vineyard Reliability Project and 91 Replacement Cable Project, a near-decade-long initiative that promised to deliver cleaner energy and substitute on-Island diesel generators, included a two-part cable submarine installation that finished in January. Now, those cables, which provide an additional 37 megawatts of energy, are in service, according to a press release from Eversource.
The upgrade also included new infrastructure in Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, and other areas of Martha’s Vineyard to improve delivery of electricity.
“For decades, Martha’s Vineyard relied on aging submarine cables and seasonal diesel generation to help meet peak electric demand,” Doug Foley, Massachusetts president of electric operations for Eversource, said in a press release. “With these projects now in service, the Island has a stronger, more resilient electric system. Its ability to reliably serve customers during this summer demonstrates the immediate value of this investment and will help support residents, businesses, and visitors for decades to come.”
During the July Fourth weekend heatwave, Martha’s Vineyard experienced a record electric demand at 66.5 megawatts. The release said that both cables carried the load of the Island’s demand and didn’t rely on local generation, which previously created vulnerabilities during periods of high demand in the past.
“Reliable electric infrastructure is essential to our year-round and seasonal residents, businesses and critical facilities, which is why this project is such an important investment in the Island’s future,” Adam Turner, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, said in the release. “These improvements will strengthen reliability and provide lasting benefits for the island while supporting a cleaner energy future. This effort reflects years of planning and collaboration among Eversource, local communities and project partners, and we’re pleased to see an investment that will benefit Martha’s Vineyard for generations to come.”
