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Negaunee breaks ground on new substation

By DREYMA BERONJA 2 min read
From left, Jamie Buchin, Kent Power; Nicole Hall, Power System Engineering electrical engineer/project manager; Chris Hytinen, City of Negaunee; Chris Nelson, City of Negaunee; Mark Wainio, Negaunee Electric Department supervisor; Jennifer Figler, representative for Jenn Hill; Jenn Hill, Michigan state representative; Dana LaLonde, city of Negaunee council member; Toby Smith, Negaunee mayor pro-tem; David Kangas, Negaunee city mayor; Nate Heffron, Negaunee city manager; Chris Chartier, WPPI director of distribution services; Tom Paque, WPPI senior V.P. of energy services; Jim Stawicki, WPPI board of directors president; Brett Niemi, WPPI senior energy services manager; Lauri Isaacson, WPPI V.P. of member relations; Shane Nault, ATC construction manager; and Matt Maddock, city of Negaunee. (Courtesy photo)

NEGAUNEE -- The Negaunee Electric Department broke ground on a new substation Monday.

According to a Lake Superior Community Partnership press release, the Negaunee Electric Department announced the commencement for its south-side additions of two 7.5 megavolt amp transformers that will supply four circuits and be the first owned by municipality.

"The current substation is more than 60 years old," City Manager Nate Heffron said in the press release. "By building new, not only can the city expand, but it reduces reliability issues that come with aging infrastructure."

The new $6 million substation will provide direct access to the main transmission lines supplying power to the area, according to the press release.

"This substation will be the first owned by Negaunee, which means we will have more control over our own power," Negaunee Electric Department supervisor Mark Wainio said in the press release. "Having this new substation will help keep power safe, affordable and reliable for Negaunee's residents and local businesses."

The city announced last August its intent to construct a new electrical substation.

According to the city's website, the decision to move forward on this project was based on a 2021 Power Systems Engineers study, commissioned by the Negaunee City Council.

The study found that most of the equipment at the current location had exceeded its expected lifespan and replacing the facility would address primary concerns that the city had with increased capacity and having a safe, secure and resilient location, according to the city's website.

For more information on the new substation, contact Heffron at 906-475-7700, ext. 11.

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