Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 11, 2025 9 United Illuminating (UI) has been powering southern Connecticut for more than 125 years. Since 2015, UI has been part of the Avangrid family, which has created something more: the strength of local leader- ship backed by the resources of a global energy leader, Iberdrola. To- gether, they deliver better service, lower costs, and greater reliability for customers across the state. Local Leadership, Global Resources UI remains locally operated, with around 600 employees working in Connecticut communities. Its leadership team understands the state's specific needs. And when additional expertise or workforce is required, UI can draw from Avan- grid's network to bring in top talent and solutions. Making matters easier, Avangrid is headquartered in Orange, Connecticut, bringing talented leadership from across the country to live in Connecticut's bustling communities. This access is especially valuable as the industry trains the next generation of energy professionals. Through Avangrid, emerging talent from across the country contributes to building a stronger, more resilient grid in Connecticut. Enhanced Buying Power Means Real Savings As part of Avangrid's network of 3.3 million customers across the Northeast, UI benefits from the company's large-scale buying pow- er, which translates into savings. Whether purchasing equipment, negotiating contracts, or securing materials, UI's access to the broad- er organization's resources helps ensure better prices on everything from utility poles to transformers. That advantage proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, when utility poles were in short supply nationwide. While other util- ities faced delays, UI's connection to Avangrid and parent company, Iberdrola, helped it secure almost 1,000 distribution transformers from Brazil, avoiding disruptions and extra costs for customers. Superior Storm Response Through Mutual Aid When storms hit, Connecticut residents count on UI. Connecticut residents and businesses benefit from Avangrid employees in New York and Maine during significant weather events, when nearly 4,000 skilled trades workers and pro- fessionals are on hand to travel to Connecticut to help with power restoration efforts. This mutual aid network helps restore power faster and reduces costs. This support goes both ways. UI's strong local operations have en- abled it to return the favor to NY- SEG, RG&E, and CMP when historic flooding ravaged Maine, severe thunderstorms decimated portions of Rochester, NY, and several feet of SPONSORED CONTENT Stronger Together: UI and Avangrid Delivering for Connecticut snow pummeled rural upstate New York. The result is a resilient, shared system that is ready to help when- ever and wherever it's needed. Innovation at Scale UI's role within a larger energy system allows it to innovate in ways that would be hard to achieve alone. The company applies lessons from other states, tests new technolo - gies, and joins grid modernization efforts supported by Avangrid's scale and investment. "Our partnership with Avangrid gives us the best of both worlds," said Frank Reynolds, UI President and CEO. "We maintain our local focus and deep Connecticut roots while gaining access to resources and expertise that help us serve our customers better than ever before." Looking Ahead Avangrid is shaping the future of energy in the United States with a clear vision: to build a smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable grid. As an energy leader, Avangrid is making long-term investments that strengthen local utilities, such as UI, bringing innovation, expertise, and scale to communities across the country. Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda emphasized the strength of the company's leader- ship and its long-term strategy: "As Avangrid looks to the future and works to deliver on our plan to invest $20 billion in the U.S. grid by the end of the decade ... new lead- ership appointments represent the strength of the leadership team we have built at Avangrid and reaffirm our ongoing commitment to deliver an innovative, reliable, and resilient energy future." From Connecticut to communities throughout the Northeast, Avan- grid is building the energy systems of tomorrow, and UI is proud be part of that progress. Tour of new Pequonnock substation in Bridgeport while de-energized

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