Pacific Power will build a new substation in north Redmond and upgrade more than a dozen others across Central Oregon in response to the region's growing electricity demands.

The planned substation, to be located off U.S. Highway 97 near Redmond's new police station, will provide an estimated 33 megavolts of additional capacity--enough to power around 30,000 homes. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2028.

A second substation is also in development in Bend, with service anticipated by late 2027. Meanwhile, upgrades to the Yew Avenue substation in south Redmond are set to be completed by next summer.

Simon Gutierrez, communications specialist for PacifiCorp--Pacific Power's parent company--said electric load growth in Central Oregon has increased by 30-40% since 2020. The utility currently serves about 106,000 customers from Warm Springs to Bend.

In addition to substation upgrades, the utility is advancing "Project Blueprint," a large-scale transmission line that will connect Klamath Falls to Central Oregon via a 500-kilovolt line supported by tower structures. The project's final route, expected to pass near east Redmond, remains under review.

"The need is there now," said Alisa Dunlap, regional business manager for Pacific Power, noting the urgency tied to regional growth and development, including the arrival of an Amazon distribution facility in east Redmond by 2028.

Source: redmondspokesman.com