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 leadership backed by the resources of Avangrid, a leading energy company. Together, 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 Avangrid’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 power, which translates into savings. Whether
purchasing equipment, negotiating contracts, or securing materials, UI’s access to the broader 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 utilities 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 professionals 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 enabled it to return the favor to NYSEG, RG&E, and CMP when historic flooding ravaged Maine, severe thunderstorms decimated portions of Rochester, NY, and several feet of snow pummeled rural upstate New York. The result is a resilient, shared system that is ready to help whenever 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 technologies, 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 leadership 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 leadership 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, Avangrid is building the energy systems of tomorrow, and UI is proud be part of that progress.
