Addressing the need to increase the reliability of the Cambridge electric system, NSTAR crews are working at an accelerated pace in your neighborhood. Work on this project includes:
- Construction of a new substation on Anthenaeum Street to enhance current service and prepare for the future needs of Cambridge’s growing neighborhoods.
- The transformer at our Aberdeen Street substation is being converted from a 3 MVA unit to a larger capacity and more reliable 5 MVA unit that will offer enhanced service to our West Cambridge customers.
- Maintenance work has been completed to the circuit breakers and transformers at the Amory Street, Roberts Road, Putnam Street and Charles Street substations.
- We are aggressively replacing older oil switches that are required to be de-energized in order to be safely operated. These will be replaced with state-of-the-art automated switches that will eliminate many momentary outages. The new automated switches require system redesign and underground manhole reconstruction to complete this effort.
- Ongoing, annual inspections of our overhead and underground electrical system in key areas continue in Cambridge using infrared screening technology. We also regularly visually inspect poles, underground cables, overhead wires and transformers.
- NSTAR is working to trim trees in certain neighborhoods. Tree trimming allows for proper clearance between wires and trees while increasing safety and reliability.
We are committed to keeping customers informed about the progress of this project. As work continues and is completed, NSTAR will be regularly updating customers through ads in local papers and this web site.
