Kitsap grid strengthening & wildfire prevention projects

PSE is investing in Kitsap to strengthen the electric grid, reduce wildfire risk and improve year round reliability for our customers. Over the next several years, we’re building projects to support local infrastructure and keep energy flowing safely.

What we’re doing in Kitsap

Since 2020, we have invested about $200 million in Kitsap to improve reliability and meet growing energy demand.  We plan to invest an additional $100 million in Kitsap’s electric system through 2029 to reduce outage frequency and duration, strengthen the system against wildfire and other extreme weather, and prepare for the grid for future growth and emerging technologies. 

For customers, this means rebuilding or upgrading electric lines that serve your home or business, converting overhead lines underground, installing stronger specially coated “tree wire” in areas with higher wildfire risk, adding new circuits and capacity to accommodate growth, and creating more flexibility to reroute power during outages.

Proactive approach

As wildfire risks grow across the western United States, PSE is taking proactive steps to keep communities safe.

Many projects that improve electric reliability also reduce the risk of wildfires:

• Install “tree wire” (specially coated overhead wire that helps prevent sparks) in some areas
• Install new underground power lines to replace overhead wires in a portion of our system
• Replace aging overhead equipment

Upcoming Kitsap projects

Currently, most of these projects are in the engineering or permitting phase and plan to start construction in summer or fall 2026. Some projects are planned to start construction in 2027. Schedules could change, depending on the progress of work, permitting, weather, and other factors.

Install tree wire

• 1. SR 104, phase 1. 0.92 miles. From SR 104 & Miller Bay Rd. NE to Parcells Rd. NE. Construction started in April.(click for map)
• 2. SR 104, phase 2. 1.09 miles. From SR 104 & Parcells Rd. NE to Washington Blvd. NE. (click for map) 
• 3. Port Gamble Road. 1.8 miles. From Port Gamble Rd. NE & NE Minder Rd. to NE Gunderson Rd. (click for map)
• 4. Stottlemeyer Road. 1.8 miles. From SR 104 & Stottlemeyer Rd. NE to 22315 Stottlemeyer Rd. NE. (click for map)
• 5. Banner Road, phase 2. 0.5 miles. From 12696 Banner Rd. to SE Culver St. & Price Rd. SE. (click for map)
• 6. Hood Canal Drive, phase 1. 2.1 miles. From Hood Canal Dr. NE & NE Cliffside Rd. to NE Ponderosa Blvd. (click for map)
• 7. Hood Canal Drive, phase 2. 1.6 miles. From Hood Canal Dr. NE & NE Ponderosa Blvd. to NE Twin Spits Rd. (click for map)
• 8. Kingston Road. 2.4 miles. From 20724 Indianola Rd. NE to S Kingston Rd. NE & NE White Horse Dr. (click for map)
• 9. Old Clifton Road. 1.3 miles. From SW Old Clifton Rd. & SW Berry Lake Rd. to 1118 SW Old Clifton Rd. Construction started. (click for map)

Underground lines

• 10. Seaview Avenue. 0.95 miles. From 8465 NE Seaview Ave. to Indianola Rd. NE & Kingston Rd. NE. Construction plans to start in 2027. (click for map)
• 11. Seabeck Highway and NW Holly Road. Install a new underground circuit along Seabeck Hwy. and NW Holly Rd. from the Chico Substation. Construction plans to start in 2027.(click for project webpage) 

What to expect during construction

You may notice construction activity in and around your neighborhood. Here’s what you can expect:

• Construction may cause traffic delays or detours. Please follow the detour routes and allow a little extra time to get to your destination.
• In some cases, we may need to schedule planned outages and will inform impacted customers in advance.
• Construction schedules could change based on the progress of work and weather conditions. We will keep you updated.
• We aim to minimize construction impacts as much as possible. Thank you for your patience!

Previous projects

Major projects completed include upgraded substations in South Bremerton and Port Madison and transmission upgrades in North and South Kitsap. These projects help us meet Kitsap’s growing demand while also providing greater redundancy on our system when outages occur.