CenterPoint Energy Launches First-Ever Utility-Owned Weather Station Network to Enhance Severe Weather Response Across Greater Houston
In a historic move to bolster emergency preparedness, CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) announced today the launch of its groundbreaking weather monitoring network, the first of its kind by a Texas-based investor-owned utility. As part of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), the installation of 100 weather stations across CenterPoint’s 12-county Greater Houston electric service area aims to enhance storm mobilization, preparation, and response ahead of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Headquartered in Houston, CenterPoint Energy serves approximately 7 million metered electric and natural gas customers across Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. With a legacy of more than 150 years of service, CenterPoint is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility, managing approximately $44 billion in assets as of March 31, 2024.
“This is a historic moment for CenterPoint and Texas that will help improve our emergency response as we prepare for the upcoming 2025 hurricane season and beyond,” said Matt Lanza, CenterPoint’s Meteorology Manager and Emergency Preparedness and Response team member. “Our weather network will provide invaluable situational awareness, in real-time, to help us act quickly, proactively and precisely before weather threatens to impact the electrical system and our customers. Best of all, we will be able to share this vital information with all our emergency partners, state and local governments, and the public, so that everyone across our communities can be better prepared.”
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Details of the Weather Monitoring Network
The first phase of the installation is underway and is set for completion by June 1, 2025, just in time for hurricane season. The network's 100 weather stations will provide critical, real-time data every 2-5 minutes, including humidity, wind speed, temperature, and rainfall measurements. The devices are strategically positioned on existing electrical infrastructure across CenterPoint’s Greater Houston electric territory, maximizing coverage and efficiency.
The goal of the project is clear: deliver precise weather insights to enable better forecasting, faster action during emergencies, and improved service to customers throughout severe weather events. By integrating hyper-local weather data into its operations, CenterPoint can allocate resources more effectively and work collaboratively with emergency management partners.
Map of CenterPoint's first phase of weather station installations. Click to enlarge. (Source: CenterPoint Energy)Why Weather Monitoring Matters
Severe weather events, including hurricanes, pose major risks to Houston's electric grid. Having immediate, localized weather information is crucial for storm preparedness, emergency response, and minimizing power outages.
CenterPoint’s efforts are also part of a broader trend to create smarter, more resilient energy grids in the face of increasingly volatile weather. By directly investing in weather technology, CenterPoint ensures that both its operations and the Greater Houston community benefit from enhanced resiliency.
GHRI Updates: A Comprehensive Approach to Hurricane Preparedness
The weather monitoring network is just one piece of CenterPoint’s broader Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative. By June 1, the company will have also:
- Installed 25,000 stronger, storm-resilient poles designed to withstand extreme winds
- Deployed 4,850 automated reliability devices capable of "self-healing" the grid to reduce outages and restoration times
- Cleared high-risk vegetation along 4,000 miles of power lines
- Undergrounded 400 miles of power lines to protect against storm-related damage
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These combined actions are expected to boost grid resiliency significantly and reduce customer outages by more than 125 million minutes annually.
Learn more about the GHRI and track CenterPoint's progress by visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
