Every time you flip a light switch, start your coffee maker, or plug in your phone to charge it, you’re counting on a strong, reliable energy system working quietly in the background to ensure that power is always available.   

That reliability just got a boost for about 12,000 customers in Dorchester County, Maryland, thanks to a major upgrade of transmission line between our Vienna and West Cambridge substations. Now rebuilt to meet today’s energy needs, the project upgraded nearly 20 miles of transmission line, more than 300 storm resilient steel utility poles to strengthen infrastructure against more frequent and impactful weather events, as well as smart devices and innovative technology that helps keep the power flowing reliably for our customers. 

Why This Matters 

Transmission lines are like the highways of the energy system, carrying large amounts of electricity across long distances so it can reach homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. But just like roads, these “energy highways” need maintenance and modern upgrades to stay reliable, especially as storms become more intense and demand continues growing.  

Smarter System, Faster Response 

In addition to fortifying our energy infrastructure, we integrated advanced technologies like smart switches and reclosers, to detect system issues and restore power faster by automatically isolating damage, often before you even notice an issue.  

Part of a Bigger Picture 

This upgrade is just one piece of a broader push to continue modernizing the local energy grid across Delaware and Maryland. Over the past decade, these targeted upgrades have helped reduce outages by 46 percent, with average restoration times within 63 minutes in 2024.  

Modernizing the grid means more reliability, more flexibility, and more confidence that the energy you need will be there when you need it.  

Learn more about this and other local upgrades at delmarva.com/Reliability.