Growth Means More Substations
Chelan County is growing, and we’re seeing an increase in residential, commercial, and industrial electric loads. Adding new customers to the system means we need more substations to support that load growth.
Distribution substations are an important part of the electrical system. Substations reduce high-voltage electricity (transmission) to lower voltage electricity (distribution) for residential and commercial use. The PUD has 34 distribution substations located strategically throughout our service territory. A substation typically serves about 1,500 residential homes.
When an existing substation approaches 80% capacity, we start planning to build a new one. Once the need for a new substation is identified, it can take from three to five years to site, design and construct the facility so it can serve the growing power demands.