As part of the company's 10-year capital investment plan, CenterPoint Energy has announced its continued commitment to invest in and harden electric infrastructure in the Texas Medical Center (TMC) area.
Totaling approximately $200 million, CenterPoint Energy's investments will further strengthen the safety, reliability and resiliency of its electric system and help reduce the impact of severe weather events on customers. The investments will consist of a new substation, several system-hardening projects benefiting the area, and reinforced transmission and distribution lines and electric equipment. These projects are expected to be completed by 2025.
"CenterPoint Energy's top priority is to provide safe and reliable service to customers across our service territory," said Lynnae Wilson, CenterPoint Energy's senior vice president, Electric Business. "At the same time, we always strive to support economic growth for our region, while seeking to keep customer charges affordable."
Wilson added, "The Texas Medical Center is a cornerstone of our great city, as it is the largest medical complex in the world. As the TMC and surrounding areas continue to expand, we are committed to supporting the millions of patients who visit these important facilities, along with frontline medical professionals reporting to work every day, to have reliable and resilient electric service."
TMC, the world's largest medical complex, is on a mission to further accelerate and grow in innovation, research, development, production and patient care. The TMC Innovation Factory is set to expand with the opening of the TMC Innovation Factory Labs in the first quarter of 2023. When completed, TMC Helix Park, TMC's 37-acre life science campus, will include more than 6 million square feet of developed space.
"Strategically located substations and hardening projects are crucial parts of our investment plan to continue to satisfy load growth, accommodate new generation, and maintain reliability requirements. We believe we have developed an economically and environmentally sound approach to achieve these important commitments to our communities," said Wilson.
