In 2026, Cleco kicked off its largest grid resiliency investment to reduce power outages and lead to faster restoration times.
The five-year resiliency plan includes over 550 projects that harden grid infrastructure by replacing electric equipment, undergrounding certain segments of the system, reinforcing utility poles and elevating substations above flood plains.
Since 1999, Cleco has been the only utility to meet or exceed Louisiana’s reliability standards, and has consistently kept the power on over 99.9% of the time. And while Cleco ranks among the most reliable and resilient Louisiana utilities, we continually pursue opportunities to enhance reliability and resiliency.
Every dollar invested in grid resilience delivers double the value or savings back to customers. And a stronger, more resilient grid will help attract more business, jobs and economic opportunities for our Louisiana communities.
Pineville Region
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Pineville 5712
Municipality: Pineville, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder hardening rebuild.
Status: Engineering 100% complete, construction in progress. 4 poles modified, 66 poles replaced, 24 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: March 2026 – October 2026
Next steps: Regulator bank relocation, along with construction of 36 wood poles and 2 non-wood poles. These tasks will be completed in Q3/Q4 2026.
Eunice Region
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Eunice 3162
Municipality: Eunice, LA
Master Project Name: Distribution feeder and lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Complete. 9 poles modified, 86 poles replaced, 16 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: Completed in March 2026 – June 2026
Next steps: Part 2 of this project includes construction of 46 wood poles and 10 non-wood poles. These tasks will be completed in Q3/Q4 2026.
DeRidder Region
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No projects at this time.
New Iberia Region
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New Iberia 3724
Municipality: New Iberia, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder and lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Complete. 24 poles modified, 48 poles replaced, 33 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: Completed in March 2026 – June 2026
Next steps: Part 2 of this project includes construction of 217 wood poles and 34 non-wood poles. These tasks will be completed in Q3/Q4 2026.
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New Iberia 3886D
Municipality: Jeanerette, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder and lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Complete. 6 poles modified, 135 poles replaced, 6 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: Completed in March 2026 – June 2026
Covington Region
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St. Tammany 4113B
Municipality: Covington, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder and lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Complete. 11 poles modified, 8 poles replaced, 18 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: Completed in March 2026 – June 2026
Next steps: Part 2 of this project includes construction of 13 non-wood poles. These tasks will be completed in Q3/Q4 2026.
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St. Tammany 4229B
Municipality: Madisonville, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder hardening rebuild.
Status: Complete. 8 poles modified, 38 poles replaced, 2 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: Completed in March 2026 – June 2026
Slidell Region
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Slidell 4142C
Municipality: Lacombe, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder and lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Engineering 100% complete.
Approximate number of poles: 51
Timeframe: Construction will occur in July 2026 – December 2026.
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Slidell 4204C
Municipality: Slidell, LA
Project Description: Distribution feeder and lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Engineering 100% complete, construction in progress. 12 poles modified, 86 poles replaced, 7 mid-span poles added.
Timeframe: March 2026 – October 2026
Next steps: Construction of 81 wood poles and 4 non-wood poles. These tasks will be completed in Q3/Q4 2026.
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Slidell 4137B
Municipality: Slidell, LA
Project Description: Lateral hardening rebuild.
Status: Engineering 100% complete.
Approximate number of poles: 16
Timeframe: Construction will occur in July 2026 – December 2026.
Bunkie Region
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No projects at this time.