New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), a subsidiary of the Avangrid Group, has begun reconstruction works on the Meyer substation in Dansville, in the northeastern United States. The investment totals $122 million (€113.4mn) and forms part of Avangrid’s $20 billion plan to modernise American electrical infrastructure by 2030.
A strategic interconnection point in the grid
The substation, located on Frontage Road, was commissioned in 1948. It currently serves around 6,740 customers via distribution lines and also transmits electricity to other parts of the state. This infrastructure is essential for ensuring interconnection between different voltage levels across the NYSEG network.
The initial phase of the project includes a full rebuild of the substation, with installation of a new transformer, modern breakers, and additional equipment to enhance grid stability. This first phase is expected to be in service by 2026. Two more transformers will be added in the second phase, scheduled to begin in 2027, with final commissioning estimated for 2029.
Local challenges in reliability and capacity
According to Avangrid, the goal is to address the ongoing increase in electricity demand, particularly in rural areas. William Bacon, Director of Economic Development for Livingston County, stated that “additional capacity and resiliency are major challenges for local economic development.”
Jamie Johnson, Executive Director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, noted that upgrading the energy infrastructure in Wayland would attract industrial investment, particularly in the clean technology sector, which has been identified as a regional priority.
A component of Avangrid’s national programme
This project forms part of Avangrid’s broader strategy to support the growth of data centres and industrial loads through more robust interconnection. The company already supplies approximately 1.5 gigawatts (GW) to U.S. data centres and is developing an additional 650 megawatts (MW).
In 2024, NYSEG completed nearly $880 million in capital investments, impacting around one million customers in the state. Parent company Iberdrola has confirmed that the United States remains a strategic priority, with a focus on network reliability and adapting to long-term demand trends.
