Eversource 2015 Annual Report Download - page 32

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CL&P NSTAR Electric PSNH WMECO
Distribution Transmission Distribution Transmission Distribution Transmission Distribution Transmission
Number of substations owned
182 19 133 24 154 16 43 7
Transformer capacity (in kVa) 19,605,000 3,117,000 11,431,000 6,728,000 5,257,000 3,868,000 5,191,000 67,000
Overhead lines (in circuit miles)
16,951 1,662 7,983 750 11,913 1,039 3,411 481
Capacity range of overhead
transmission lines (in kV) N/A 69 to 345 N/A 115 to 345
N/A
115 to 345
N/A 69 to 345
Underground lines (distribution
in circuit miles and
transmission in cable miles)
6,528 136 7,354 260 1,821 1 1,075 10
Capacity range of underground
transmission lines (in kV)
N/A 69 to 345 N/A 115 to 345
N/A
115 N/A 115
NSTAR
Eversource CL&P Electric PSNH WMECO
Underground and overhead line transformers in service 618,387 288,352 126,353 160,848 42,834
Aggregate capacity (in kVa) 35,097,967 15,300,765 11,429,921 6,202,270 2,165,011
Electric Generating Plants
As of December 31, 2015, PSNH owned the following electric generating plants:
Type of Plant
Number
of Units
Year
Installed
Claimed Capability*
(kilowatts)
Steam Plants 5 1952-74 935,343
Hydro 20 1901-83 58,115
Internal Combustion 5 1968-70 101,869
Biomass 1 2006 42,594
Total PSNH Generating Plant 31 1,137,921
* Claimed capability represents winter ratings as of December 31, 2015. The combined nameplate capacity of the generating plants is
approximately 1,200 MW.
As of December 31, 2015, WMECO owned the following electric generating plants:
Type of Plant
Number
of Sites
Year
Installed
Claimed Capability**
(kilowatts)
Solar Fixed Tilt, Photovoltaic 3 2010-14 8,000
** Claimed capability represents the direct current nameplate capacity of the plant.
CL&P and NSTAR Electric do not own any electric generating plants.
Natural Gas Distribution System
As of December 31, 2015, Yankee Gas owned 28 active gate stations, 203 district regulator stations, and approximately 3,317 miles of natural gas
main pipeline. Yankee Gas also owns a liquefaction and vaporization plant and above ground storage tank with a storage capacity equivalent of 1.2
Bcf of natural gas in Waterbury, Connecticut.
As of December 31, 2015, NSTAR Gas owned 21 active gate stations, 164 district regulator stations, and approximately 3,250 miles of natural gas
main pipeline. Hopkinton, another subsidiary of Eversource, owns a satellite vaporization plant and above ground storage tanks in Acushnet, MA.
In addition, Hopkinton owns a liquefaction and vaporization plant with above ground storage tanks in Hopkinton, MA. Combined, the two plants’
tanks have an aggregate storage capacity equivalent to 3.5 Bcf of natural gas that is provided to NSTAR Gas under contract.
Franchises
CL&P Subject to the power of alteration, amendment or repeal by the General Assembly of Connecticut and subject to certain approvals, permits
and consents of public authority and others prescribed by statute, CL&P has, subject to certain exceptions not deemed material, valid franchises free
from burdensome restrictions to provide electric transmission and distribution services in the respective areas in which it is now supplying such
service.
In addition to the right to provide electric transmission and distribution services as set forth above, the franchises of CL&P include, among others,
limited rights and powers, as set forth under Connecticut law and the special acts of the General Assembly constituting its charter, to manufacture,
generate, purchase and/or sell electricity at retail, including to provide Standard Service, Supplier of Last Resort service and backup service, to sell
electricity at wholesale and to erect and maintain certain facilities on public highways and grounds, all subject to such consents and approvals of
public authority and others as may be required by law. The franchises of CL&P include the power of eminent domain. Connecticut law prohibits an
electric distribution company from owning or operating generation assets. However, under “An Act Concerning Energy Independence,” enacted in
2005, CL&P is permitted to own up to 200 MW of peaking facilities if the PURA determines that such facilities will be more cost effective than
other options for mitigating FMCC and Locational Installed Capacity (LICAP) costs. In addition, under “An Act Concerning Electricity and Energy