Eugene, OR - EWEB (Eugene Water & Electric Board) is set to replace ten substations over the next decade, with work already underway to replace the 60-year-old Currin Substation.

The Currin Substation is known as the "Grand Central Station" of EWEB's electric grid, and its replacement is critical as it serves as a hub for customers in the McKenzie River Valley, EWEB's Hayden Bridge Water Treatment Plant, and downtown Eugene.

The reasons for replacement are three-fold: age, environmental concerns, and earthquake resistance. Most of EWEB's stations are nearing the end of their useful life, with power transformers being the primary focus for replacement due to their size, cost, and procurement challenges. The replacement plan is expected to cost around $125 million, with the Currin substation accounting for nearly $15 million of that. However, EWEB assures customers that service will not be impacted during the replacement process.

The replacement of these substations is part of a larger project aimed at improving and upgrading EWEB's electric grid to provide customers with a more reliable and sustainable source of power. The project is expected to take several years, with the replacement of the remaining nine substations set to begin once the Currin substation replacement is complete.

Source: nbc16.com