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Reliability

Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations Details Reliability Project

Massachusetts public power utility Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations in December provided an update on a project tied to its ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability and efficiency of Shrewsbury’s electrical system.

SELCO’s electrical upgrade initiative focuses on modernizing a portion of its infrastructure by converting the area from the Johnson circuit’s 4,160 volts (5kV) to the more advanced Rolfe circuit’s 13,800 volts (13.8kV).

The project spans several neighborhoods.

Much of the existing infrastructure in this area dates back to the 1960s, relying on outdated 5kV open wire systems that are increasingly prone to outages and wear.

By transitioning to 13.8kV and installing new, insulated Hendrix wiring, SELCO “is strengthening our network against weather-related issues and upgrading to a more robust and efficient system.”

This effort “aligns with improving our distribution system and enhancing the long-term reliability of Shrewsbury’s power supply.”

The utility listed the following project benefits:

  • Greater Reliability: The new 13.8kV system offers more connection points and options for rerouting power. This increased flexibility means SELCO can switch loads between circuits or substations, enabling maintenance to be performed without service interruptions or with significantly reduced outage times.
  • Improved Resiliency: The project replaces outdated open wire with stronger, insulated Hendrix cable, which is less susceptible to damage from trees and storms. This change will reduce the frequency and impact of outages, making the network more resilient in severe weather conditions.
  • Future-Ready System: Upgrading from 5kV to 13.8kV increases load-carrying capacity, preparing Shrewsbury for future demand growth, including the anticipated rise in electric vehicles and other electrification initiatives.
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