Puget Sound Energy substation and transmission conversion
Enumclaw-Buckley-Burnett-Wilkeson area substation and transmission conversion
Fall 2009 project updates
- PSE began construction on the transmission line conversion on July 20, 2009
- We expect to complete phase I of the transmission line conversion by fall 2009
Project Overview
To increase reliability and meet growing customer demand for power in the Enumclaw, Buckley, Burnett and Wilkeson areas, PSE is upgrading our existing low-voltage 55 kilovolt (kV) substations and transmission line to our now current standard of 115 kV. The multi-year project entails converting the voltage of 20.2 miles of transmission line between the cities of Enumclaw and Orting and a switching station, converting or completely rebuilding four substations, and adding a fiber-optic line.
2009 projects
Electron Heights to Stevenson 115 kV transmission conversion, phase I:
- Convert eight miles of existing 55 kV transmission line to 115 kV line from our Stevenson switch, 1035 Stevenson Ave., Enumclaw, to just past our Wilkeson substation, located at 213 Church St. in Wilkeson.
- Install a fiber-optic line between our Stevenson switch and our Buckley substation, 267 S. 3rd St., Buckley. Construction is expected to begin in summer and is expected to be complete by fall.
2010 projects
Electron Heights to Stevenson 115 kV transmission conversion, phase II:
- Convert the final 12.2 miles of existing 55 kV transmission line to 115 kV line from our Wilkeson substation to our Electron Heights switching station,19319 Electron Road, Orting.
- Install a 115 kV capacitor bank within our Krain Corner substation, 10801 268th Ave. SE, Enumclaw. Construction is expected to begin in 2010.
- Convert our Enumclaw substation, 2201 Battersby Ave., Enumclaw, to 115 kV by installing a new 115 kV transformer and other related equipment.
- Install a new 115 kV transformer and other related equipment at our Wilkeson substation.
- Demolish our old Buckley substation and build a new 115 kV substation off 112th St. East near Public.
- Convert a portion of our Electron Heights switching station to 115 kV to accommodate the new 115 kV line.
What is a transmission line?
Transmission lines are key elements in the electrical distribution system. The lines safely transport high voltage electricity from power sources like dams and wind farms to substations in local communities. Transmission normally takes place at voltages of 55 kV and higher.
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.
What is a fiber-optic line?
A fiber-optic line or optical fiber is a glass fiber that is designed to direct light along its length and is used for communication purposes. The fiber-optic lines used in our electric system are small, half-inch in diameter lines. Fiber-optic is light, less expensive, and able to carry much more information than radio and microwave communication.
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. We aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.
Download the information
Download these PDF files for more detail on PSE’s Enumclaw-Buckley-Burnett-Wilkeson area substation and transmission conversion project.
Community ad (238 KB PDF)
Outage notice, Sept. 2009 (73 KB PDF)
News release (9/7/2009)
News release (7/25/2009)
News article (25 KB PDF)
Construction print ad July 15, 2009 (503 KB PDF)
Outage map (532 KB PDF)
Outage notice, July 2009 (73 KB PDF)
Construction notice, July 2009 (59 KB PDF)
Fact sheet, July 2009 (143 KB PDF)
Project map (181 KB PDF)
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