CMP begins construction in Kennebunk, Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Central Maine Power is moving forward with construction of a 345,000-volt substation in Kennebunk.

The substation, which will cost roughly $30 million, is one of five 345,000-volt substations the company is building under the Maine Power Reliability Program.

Construction began this month in Kennebunk. CMP's Doug Herling says the project will "ensure long-term reliability and add capacity for the transmission system in one of the fastest growing areas of the state."

CMP and its parent company, Iberdrola USA, are spending more than $500 million upgrading the power grid.

The project aims to double the capacity of the backbone of the state's power grid by 2015. All told, there will be 440 miles of new transmission lines in addition to the new substations.