NV Energy has begun construction of a $2.2-million project to improve the reliability of the Winnemucca, Nevada electric distribution system.
The project will boost the capacity of the electric transmission system that currently serves Winnemucca and improve the operation of a substation located in the Grass Valley area. The project will also benefit other customers in the community by reducing the strain on a second substation that serves Winnemucca.“This project will help reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, especially during the summer months when the demand for electricity is the greatest,” said NV Energy’s Jim Kracaw, the area service manager for Winnemucca. He said the substation upgrade is necessary to serve increasing demand for electricity in the region.
He said crews have finished building the new high voltage power line that will enable the Grass Valley Substation to tap into an existing 120-kVt electric transmission line that runs from a substation north of Lovelock to Winnemucca. The substation currently relies on a 60-kV transmission line. The new line is supported by 15 wooden power poles and it is approximately 4,300 ft long.
Other electrical equipment will have to be installed at the substation before it can begin tapping into the larger power line. Kracaw said NV Energy expects to complete the project in June.
