Press Releases
11/03/2017
AVANGRID Deploys Tactical Storm Recovery Experts to Assist in Puerto Rico
AVANGRID Deploys Tactical Storm Recovery Experts to Assist in Puerto Rico
ORANGE, Conn. – Nov. 2, 2017 — AVANGRID Inc (NYSE: AGR) is providing assistance to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico by deploying a Tactical Power Restoration Team specializing in the supervision of transmission and distribution system recovery. The AVANGRID team, comprised of employees from across many of its Northeast subsidiaries, will assist ongoing efforts to address the island's power crisis after Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico on September 20 as a Category 4 storm with winds of 155 mph.
Puerto Rico continues to rebuild following the devastation caused by Maria, but 70% of the island’s 3.4 million residents remain without power nearly six weeks later. Puerto Rico’s electricity provider, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), is receiving assistance from U.S. federal and state agencies, including the New York Power Authority (NYPA), to rebuild its power grid, which was completely destroyed by the storm. NYPA has contacted investor-owned energy companies, including AVANGRID, to spearhead rebuilding efforts. AVANGRID has answered the call and is committed to helping Puerto Rico get back on track.
AVANGRID employees have volunteered to leave their homes and families for one month to work 16-hour days, seven days a week to be part of this vital recovery. The AVANGRID volunteers are part of a 28-member Tactical Power Restoration team of technical experts consisting of engineers and supervisors who will work with PREPA. These experienced energy professionals will be dispatched in teams to seven regions in Puerto Rico to provide technical oversight in the work to restore the island's power grid. NYPA anticipates deploying additional waves of workers to backfill this initial team.
“It’s a familiar scenario for AVANGRID’s hardworking personnel who are regularly dispatched to assist with power restoration after storms throughout the Northeast. At AVANGRID, we know from experience how much it means to our customers to be able to restore electrical service as quickly as possible after a storm — and that urgency is particularly felt in Puerto Rico as the holidays approach,” said James P. Torgerson, AVANGRID CEO. “That’s why we are pleased to offer assistance to ensure that when severe weather strikes — whether it’s in our territory or across the U.S. — there are sufficient personnel and resources to assist in recovery efforts.”
“I’m proud to be able to represent AVANGRID as we embark on this endeavor to restore power and bring relief so that island residents can begin a path toward normalcy,” said NY Director of Electric Operations Beverly Allen, who will be leading AVANGRID’s first team of tactical experts. “Our goal is to provide a high level of experience and expertise that will serve as a building block for a new and improved electrical grid that Puerto Ricans will be able to rely on for years to come.”
“I hope I can use my 30 years of experience with the company to help restore power and the quality of life for the residents of Puerto Rico,” said Eduardo DelMonte, an Operations Supervisor from Connecticut who will lead the second AVANGRID team. “The entire AVANGRID team will work tirelessly to provide guidance and technical assistance as the island rebuilds its grid while serving as ambassadors for a company that strives to make a difference in the lives of millions.”
The volunteers from AVANGRID will join members of other the energy companies and depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport the week of Nov. 6 for their 30-day assignment. AVANGRID and its energy companies will remain staffed and ready to respond to any local events.
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About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $44 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
About Iberdrola: Iberdrola is one of the world's biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland, among others.
With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
