NYSEG and RG&E have installed more than 600 recloser devices across New York in 2026 to help reroute power and shorten outages, the utilities said.
The installation total is more than double what was anticipated at the beginning of the year, Jason Meidinger, vice president of projects at the companies, said in an Oct. 26 news release.
How the devices help restore power
The utilities have nearly 4,000 remote-operated reclosers spread across more than 55,000 miles of distribution circuits in New York.
When an outage occurs, operators at the Energy Control Center can use remotely controlled devices to reroute electricity following a safety check, restoring power to customers who can safely receive it.
The companies said operators have used remote restoration capabilities to restore service to more than 100,000 customers in less than five minutes in 2026.
Utilities target areas with reliability problems
NYSEG and RG&E said they identify areas experiencing reliability challenges and install reclosers where they can provide the greatest benefit to customers.
The devices are part of broader grid investments intended to improve electric reliability and storm response. The utilities also cited tripsavers, animal guards, circuit breakers and other equipment used to support service for more than 1.3 million electric customers in New York.
Both companies are subsidiaries of Avangrid. NYSEG operates across more than 40% of upstate New York, while RG&E serves a nine-county region surrounding Rochester.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
