New Equipment and a Fresh Look in Southwest Harbor

If you’ve driven through Southwest Harbor recently, you may have noticed something new along Main Street.

What used to be an aging, worn-down substation has been transformed into something… well, a lot more inviting.

And that’s by design.

Behind the scenes, our team has been working on a major reliability upgrade in the Southwest Harbor area—one that not only strengthens the electric system but also fits seamlessly into the character of the community.

Built for Reliability—Designed for the Community

This project goes beyond just replacing equipment. It’s part of a larger effort to modernize infrastructure in an area where some components dated back to the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

As part of this work, crews:

  • Replaced older copper wiring with newer, more durable and insulated conductors
  • Installed stronger, taller utility poles to better withstand weather conditions
  • Added modern protective devices that help isolate outages—so fewer customers are impacted when issues occur
  • Rebuilt portions of the local transmission line (Line 29), which connects Southwest Harbor to the broader system

Together, these upgrades help deliver more consistent voltage and improve overall system performance—especially during storms or periods of high demand.

But in a place like Southwest Harbor, reliability wasn’t the only priority.

Because the new substation sits right on Main Street, our team worked closely with town officials early in the process—sharing plans, answering questions, and making sure the final result reflected the community it serves.

The result?

  • Clean sightlines with underground connections where possible
  • Natural pink granite used throughout the site to reflect the surrounding Acadia landscape
  • A thoughtful layout that feels more like a park than a traditional utility space

In fact, once landscaping is complete, you might not even recognize it as a substation at first glance.

“We really wanted this to be something the community could feel good about—not just from a reliability standpoint, but from how it looks and fits into the town,” said Nancy Peasley, Project Manager. “It’s a big improvement from what was there before.”

“We are very happy with the new and improved sub-station project recently completed by Versant in Southwest Harbor,” said Karen Reddersen, Town Manager for Southwest Harbor. “The Town was involved throughout the process, having a voice from planning stages to schedule. Versant’s proactive approach alleviated any community concerns, and the result provides a sub-station that fits within the Town’s aesthetic. Providing a resilient and reliable electric system that will meet our growing needs is critical to our community, and we appreciate the level of collaboration and partnership with Versant.”

What It Means for You

While you may notice the visual transformation, the biggest impact is what you don’t see.

These upgrades mean:

  • A more resilient electric system
  • Fewer and shorter outages over time
  • Equipment that’s better equipped to handle tree contact and severe weather
  • Infrastructure that’s built to serve a growing community

More to Come

This project is just one part of a broader investment in Southwest Harbor. Additional upgrades—including continued improvements along Line 29 and in surrounding areas—are already underway and planned for the coming years.

You’ll continue to see our crews working in the area as we build a stronger, more reliable system for Southwest Harbor and Mount Desert Island.