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wbjournal.com | July 27, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 9 Colapietro, a spokesperson for ISO New England. Meeting rising demand In its 2024 Future Grid Plan, Na- tional Grid compared future demand needs with existing system capacity. It determined that without any system upgrades, by 2035, every sub-region in the system will see demand that ex- ceed capacity, which makes stabilizing the region's transmission infrastruc- ture all the more critical. "Our overall strategy is intended to support emissions reductions while enabling efficient investment, opti- mizing the use of our infrastructure, and then our core [goal] of maintain- ing safe and reliable service for our customers," Davenport said. Planning for the A1/B2 project be- gan in 2019. Expected to be complet- ed by early 2028, the current phase of work will replace the double-circuit transmission lines, tap lines, wooden poles, and other supporting structures connecting high-voltage wires to Gardner's Crystal Lake Taps substa- tion, which distributes electricity to local homes and businesses. Optical ground wire will be added to the line as well, improving commu- nication capabilities and opening the door for increased automation. In all, the seven phases of the project, comprising more than 570 structures and spanning 47 miles across Warwick, Royalston, Athol, Winchendon, Gardner, Westminster, Fitchburg, Leominster, and Ster- ling, are expected to be finished by December 2030 aer work on Athol's Chestnut Hill Taps is complete. e next oldest transmission line on the grid, E5/F6, was built in 1913. It originates just west of the Quabbin Reservoir, runs through the Brook- fields and ends in Millbury. National Grid is evaluating investment on this line, Davenport said. ISO New England is developing a new framework for prioritizing proj- ects, using input from policymakers and stakeholders. e Asset Condi- tion Reviewer would be a first-in- the-nation role among grid admin- istrators, providing an independent technical review of projects proposed by transmission owners. "Upgrading transmission lines with additional capacity when it makes sense can better prepare our grid for future demand, reliability, and the growth of renewable energy," said Nick Krakoff, director of clean grid for Boston nonprofit Conservation Law Foundation, which advocates for solu- tions to environmental challenges. The Clark Online MBA Clarku.edu/MBA Princeton Review: "Best Online MBA Programs" Start This Summer? Correct. No Applica on? $20K? AVAILABLE Turnkey Educational Facility 57,459 SF Educational Facility Furnished Up-to-date building systems - Fully operational & maintained Additional parking available Ideal for educational, training, or institutional use 134 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA B. John Dill, President Tel: 413.781.0066 jack.dill@colebrookrealty.com 1441 Main Street, Springfield MA . ColebrookRealty.com Rising demand for electricity National Grid predicts peak demand will more than double by 2050 and shift to winter by the mid-2030s, mainly due to increasing electrification of the heating industry. Source: National Grid – Executive summary, 2024 Future Grid Plan 2 4 6 8 10 2023 2029 2034 2050 System peak Summer (GW) Winter (GW) 3.7 10.7 4.9 8.8 New sources of electricity Types of new proposed electricity generation in New England % of proposed Generation type new generation Battery storage 46% Wind 44% Solar 10% Natural gas 1% Hydro <1% Note: Figures do not add exactly to 100%, due to rounding. Source: ISO New England W