Cross-Sound Cable to Cease Operation in October 2026
The 330-megawatt power line shutdown will impact energy transfer between Connecticut and New York for nearly two weeks.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Utilities
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The 330-megawatt Cross-Sound Cable between New Haven and Shoreham will cease operations from October 19 to October 31, 2026. This outage is required to relocate and rebury sections of the undersea line to accommodate federal navigation channel improvements.
Why it matters
The temporary loss of this high-voltage transmission line removes a critical electricity path between Connecticut and Long Island during the dredging project. Operators should note that the work supports deepening the harbor channel from 35 to 40 feet, a shift that carries long-term infrastructure implications for the area.
The 24-mile line moves 330 megawatts of electricity, delivering 888 gigawatt-hours to Long Island through August 31, 2026. Maintenance includes removing 1,250 linear feet of existing cable and installing 2,600 linear feet of new line to account for the deeper 40-foot harbor channel.
The players
ISO New England
The independent regional transmission organization that manages the flow of electricity across the New England power grid.
LIPA
A municipal electric provider that holds a transmission capacity agreement for the cable through 2032.
The details
The project requires lowering and relocating the undersea cable to allow for the deepening of the New Haven Harbor federal navigation channel. During the October 19 to October 31 window, power transfer capacity will drop to 0 MW in both directions as crews remove, bury, and re-lay the submarine infrastructure. This work is necessary to facilitate the harbor-wide dredging and disposal project currently scheduled through February 2027.
Timeline
October 19, 2026 to October 31, 2026: Outage period for the Cross-Sound Cable.
August 31, 2026: End date for reported electricity transfer metrics.
October 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027: Dredging and disposal window for harbor navigation.
Market Landscape
This outage follows the precedent of the 2023 maintenance closure, marking another period of inactivity driven by the federal navigation channel expansion. The project aligns with current port infrastructure trends where increasing channel depths to accommodate larger vessels necessitates extensive submarine utility adjustments.
Regional businesses should prepare for potential electricity market fluctuations while the 330-megawatt line remains offline. Operators should consult with their utility providers or energy consultants regarding local rate volatility during this infrastructure transition period.
The takeaway
The temporary cable closure serves as a reminder to monitor large-scale municipal infrastructure schedules that can alter utility access. Review your current energy contracts to understand how regional transmission outages might impact your operational cost profile during heavy maintenance periods.
What happens next
Harbor dredging and disposal operations are scheduled to continue through February 28, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local grid operations and infrastructure projects in New Haven Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CT Insider.
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