National Grid plans $93 million electrical system upgrade to meet rising demand on Aquidneck

National Grid is planning a $93 million project to upgrade the electrical system on Aquidneck Island to meet growing demand.

The Newport Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/IX5CGL ) that plans include two new substations, removing five substations from service and installing high-voltage transmission lines and steel poles.

The utility is expected Wednesday to announce the five-year project, which is scheduled to begin this fall and extend to 2020, depending on project approvals and permits.

The company says the electrical system serving Aquidneck is antiquated and stretched to its limits. A recent study of the island's electricity demand shows the system has a peak load of 147 megawatts, but demand is expected to rise to 167 megawatts by 2028.

National Grid says electricity use per person has more than doubled since the 1970s.

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Information from: The Newport Daily News.