Puget Sound Energy substation project
Viking substation and transmission line
Fall 2009 project updates
- Design and permitting will continue through 2009
- Substation upgrades and transmission line construction have been deferred for two years
Project overview
PSE is upgrading our electric system in the south Bellingham and Fairhaven areas of Whatcom County, which provides service to Western Washington University. We plan to upgrade our Viking substation, located at 2910 Taylor Avenue in Bellingham, and construct a new 115 kilovolt transmission line. The project entails installing two new 115 kV circuit breakers and supervisory controls inside the substation, replacing the aging transmission line with new high-capacity wire, and constructing a new transmission line east from the substation to connect to our existing transmission line. PSE has yet to determine the specific route of the new transmission line; the route map highlights three possibilities. When complete, our substation will have the space to add a second transformer, which will allow PSE to double the capacity in the future without changing the substation footprint.
PSE is building the new transmission line to increase the reliability of the electric system and to allow for better use of existing capacity in the south Bellingham and Fairhaven neighborhoods. The new transmission line will create a “loop,” which means the substation will be fed by two transmission lines. So, if one line goes out, the other line will provide power to our substation and customers in the area. The upgrades to our Viking substation and related transmission lines will also bolster service to customers in Happy Valley, McKenzie and Sehome.
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 farms 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 who live near the project area when construction will occur. It is our aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.
Download information
Download these PDF files for more detail on PSE's Viking substation project.
Fact sheet (117 KB PDF)
Meeting invite, February 2008 (168 KB PDF)
Viking substation map, option 1 (537 KB PDF)
Viking substation map, option 2 (537 KB PDF)
Viking substation map, option 3 (537 KB PDF)
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