King County

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Puget Sound Energy substation project

Ardmore substation

Fall 2009 updates

Puget Sound Energy held a second community meeting to discuss our preliminary preferred site for Ardmore substation on March 4, 2009
We anticipate holding a third community meeting in late summer or early fall 2009
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2010

Project Overview

PSE needs to build a new substation and extend and reconfigure existing transmission lines to meet increased demand for electricity in the South Redmond/Northeast Bellevue area. The Ardmore substation will increase system capacity to accommodate future growth and improve the reliability of the electrical system. Extensive residential and commercial growth in the South Redmond/Northeast Bellevue area has resulted in the electrical load approaching the capacity of existing substations and transmission lines. In addition, the cities of Bellevue and Redmond plan to significantly increase land use densities in the Bel-Red corridor and Overlake area. PSE has not yet determined the specific site of the project and is currently working with the community to examine alternate sites and develop site selection criteria.

What is a substation?

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

Download full-size map

Project map
(192 KB PDF)

What is a transmission line?

Transmission lines are key links in the electrical distribution process. The lines safely transport high voltage electricity from power sources, including hydroelectric dams and wind farms, to substations where the power is then transformed to lower voltages that can be safely distributed to customers. Transmission normally takes place at voltages of 115 kilovolts and higher. The electrical system provides redundant transmission paths to improve reliability.

Committed to keeping you informed

PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents who live near the project area when construction will occur. It is our aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.