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Puget Sound Energy substation project

Olympia substation upgrade project

Summer 2012 project completion

• Construction of phase one was completed in 2011
• January through March 2012, we completed intermittent work inside the substation to prepare for phase two of construction
• Phase two of construction started in April 2012 and was completed in late September 2012

Project overview

Customers in Tumwater, Olympia and greater Thurston County will see improved electric service reliability as a result of PSE’s upgrades to the Olympia substation (917 Ferry St. SW in Tumwater) (see map). The upgrades entailed replacing aging equipment and reconfiguring the substation to improve reliability of the electrical system.

The substation work occurred in two phases.

• Phase one, June 2011 – December 2011
  The work included expanding the footprint of the station to the south, installing new electrical equipment on the west side of the station and installing a new control house.

• Phase two, January 2012- October 2012
  The work entailed prep work, including the construction of a ramp inside the substation to increase mobility and minimize use of the outside driveway and street, installing new substation electrical equipment and connecting the existing transmission lines in the neighborhood into the new equipment.

Download full-sized map

Project map
(738 KB PDF)

What is a substation?

Substations are critical links in the electricity distribution system, containing utility circuit protection, voltage regulation, and wiring that steps down higher voltage to lower voltage. Before reaching homes and businesses, power is routed through the transmission system to a substation where it is changed to a lower voltage that can be utilized by customers.

What is a transmission line?

Transmission lines are key elements in the electrical distribution system. The lines safely transport high voltage electricity from power generation sources like dams and wind generating facilities to substations in local communities. Transmission normally takes place at voltages of 55 kV and higher.

Committed to keeping you informed

PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents and businesses near the project area when construction will occur. We aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.

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