In recent years, our cooperative has faced the dual challenges of rising costs and maintaining reliable service for our members. Through careful cost control and strategic investments in our infrastructure, we’ve not only managed these challenges but have also advanced our system’s capabilities. One key example is the backfeeding capability made possible by the self-healing network tie we installed in August 2023 for the Robbins/Bear Creek areas. The graph below describes the effectiveness of this technology.

This investment, along with innovations like real-time switching analytics developed by our in-house engineering team, highlight how planning and technology can transform challenges into opportunities. During a recent Duke Energy transmission outage, these advancements allowed us to minimize the impact on members. We systematically restored power long before repairs to the transmission line were completed. Such proactive measures underscore our commitment to reliability while simultaneously allowing us to control costs and plan for the future.

Beyond managing the transmission outage, our crews also tackled a planned repair of an insulated switch that had been damaged in a previous event. Four months earlier, a snake had entered the substation, causing an outage that led to equipment damage. Anticipating the need for this repair, we pre-positioned the necessary materials at the Bear Creek substation. This foresight enabled our crews to complete the repair during the transmission outage, avoiding the need for an additional planned outage and minimizing disruptions for members.

Our self-healing network currently serves over 7,000 members. REMC plans to expand this coverage to approximately 18,000 more members over the next 5 years. While no system can entirely eliminate outages, these strategic investments significantly reduce the number of members impacted by a single outage and improve restoration times across our service area. Each improvement reflects our commitment to providing reliable power at the lowest possible cost.

Our expansion of the self-healing network represents an excellent example of REMC’s commitment to reliability and affordability. How we achieve this expansion and strengthen our grid is through the hard work and dedication of our staff. Recognizing the need for investment in our system, they proactively applied for two highly competitive grants—and their efforts paid off. Our cooperative has been selected to receive funding for two critical projects: one to replace aging wooden transmission poles with more resilient steel structures, and another to expand the self-healing network while integrating advanced fault detection equipment across our system. These innovative grant projects will allow us to enhance reliability without placing an undue financial burden on our members.

I will keep you updated as staff work through all the final details with the new federal administration. As we navigate the challenges of rising wholesale power costs, we remain committed to prudent stewardship and strategic decision-making. Investments like the self-healing network not only address today’s needs but also prepare us for tomorrow’s challenges, ensuring that our members benefit from a resilient, reliable and forward-thinking electrical grid.

At Randolph EMC, our mission is to deliver exceptional service and reliable electricity while staying true to the cooperative principles that guide us. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for our community—one investment at a time.

Cooperatively yours,
Dennis Mabe, CEO