Northeast Utilities’ four southwest Connecticut transmission projects won a 2008 Platts Global Energy Award in the category “Energy Construction Project of the Year.”

The company’s achievement was announced and honored at an event held Dec. 3, 2008, in New York City. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Platts Global Energy Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement and vision in the global energy industry.

To improve electric reliability and reduce costly congestion charges to customers in southwest Connecticut, NU will successfully complete $1.6 billion in upgrades this year, spanning more than 109 miles of the electric grid serving this region. The southwest solution consists of four transmission projects: Bethel-Norwalk, Long Island Replacement Cable, Glenbrook Cables and Middletown-Norwalk. In aggregate, these projects will be completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

“We are very proud of this recognition. The selection of NU Transmission’s projects is a tribute to the teamwork of thousands of NU employees and contractors who have consistently performed safely and set standards for technical innovation, excellence in execution and environmental stewardship,” said NU Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Charles W. Shivery.

“We continue to achieve recognition as a leader in new transmission construction and operation. In the first year of operation of the Bethel-Norwalk transmission line, we reduced congestion charges by $150 million – creating tangible reliability and cost benefits for customers,” said Shivery. “With the completion of our Glenbrook Cables project, the Long Island Replacement Cable project, and the early completion of the
Middletown-Norwalk transmission line, more customer benefits will be achieved.”

“These projects are essential for the long-term stability of the power grid in Connecticut and New England,” added Shivery. “As electricity demand continues to grow, a strong, reliable transmission system is critical to meeting our customers’ needs, the region’s economic health, and unlocking access to renewable power generation.”