Our customers depend on us to deliver safe, reliable energy every day. To keep the energy flowing, we regularly maintain, upgrade, and modernize the system that serves 1.7 million customers. From trimming trees near power lines to replacing old equipment and testing new technology, we’re making smart investments to build an energy system that’s more reliable today and ready for the future.

Reliability improvements: How we’re strengthening your energy service

Keeping poles strong and safe

Every year, we inspect thousands of power poles to make sure they remain safe and reliable. Our crews evaluate pole health, treat poles to extend their lifespan, and replace or reinforce any that no longer meet our standards.

In 2025, we:

• Replaced more than 1,000 power poles
• Inspected nearly 30,000 pieces of equipment related to our distribution infrastructure and more than 2,000 related to transmission infrastructure
• Replaced 700+ pieces of distribution equipment and 100 pieces of transmission equipment
• Replaced 200+ cross arms – the parts that hold power lines apart so they don’t touch

These upgrades help prevent outages before they happen — especially during storms.

Pole replacement in Olalla, Kitsap County

Replacing aging underground power lines

Nearly 60% of our electric distribution system is underground. While buried power lines are protected from storms, they can wear out over time and fail unexpectedly. Our Cable Remediation program replaces older underground cable before problems occur.

In 2025, we:

• Replaced more than 100 miles of aging underground cable

This proactive work reduces emergency repairs and helps keep electricity flowing reliably in neighborhoods.

Cable remediation project near Lake Tapps, Pierce County

Making reliability improvements where they’re needed most

Some parts of the electric distribution system may experience more outages than others due to terrain, vegetation, age, or weather exposure. Our Targeted Reliability program focuses investments where customers need improvements most.

These upgrades can include:

• Rebuilding power lines
• Installing tree-wire, a specially covered power line that can reduce outages from falling branches by over 95%
• Moving overhead power lines underground
• Adding microgrids, which are smaller, local power systems that can keep electricity flowing even if the main grid goes down
• Other upgrades designed to make the system stronger and more durable

In 2025, we:

• Completed 14 targeted reliability projects across our service area

Tree wire project on Vashon Island, King County

Undergrounding project in Cle Elum, Kittitas

Using automation to restore power faster

When outages happen, technology can help restore power more quickly — sometimes without needing a crew onsite. Automated equipment can detect problems, isolate damaged sections, and reroute electricity, so fewer customers are affected.

Our work includes:

• Adding automation to local and regional power systems
• Installing reclosers, devices that automatically try to restore power after brief interruptions (like a tree branch brushing a line)
• Remotely monitoring and controlling substations

In 2025, we:

• Completed 12 substation remote monitoring and control projects
• Completed 11 recloser installations
• Completed 5 distribution automation upgrades

Recloser project in Chuckanut Dr. Bow, Skagit County

Upgrading substations across the region

Some of our substations contain equipment that has been in service for 40+ years. Our Substation Reliability program replaces aging components so we can reduce outage risk and continue meeting today’s reliability standards.

In 2025, we:

• Completed 20 major substation reliability projects

Substation reliability program on Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County

Testing new technology to modernize the grid

Building a modern energy system means using smarter equipment, advanced software, and better communication tools — all while giving customers more control over their energy choices.

In 2025, we:

• Partnered with Heimdall Power on a Dynamic Line Rating pilot
• Installed 75 smart monitoring devices on 100 miles of power lines, the largest project of its kind in the U.S.
• These devices track line temperature, sag, electrical flow, and local weather conditions.

This technology helps us use existing power lines more efficiently while maintaining safety and reliability.

As part of the Dynamic Line Rating pilot, we installed over 75 smart monitoring devices on 100 miles of power lines in 2025.