Modernization of a key Ameren Illinois substation will add capacity and strengthen service reliability for energy customers in the Peoria-Pekin region. Under the $30 million, seven-acre expansion of its "Cincinnati" Substation, Ameren Illinois is adding new transformers and supporting high-voltage equipment and power lines that feed the facility and tie into the existing energy distribution grid.
The substation is in-service. One additional 69kV power line with power poles is currently being constructed and should be completed by December.
"Substations do not get a lot of fanfare but they are critical elements in a reliable, resilient energy grid," said Brian Brackney, Director of Northern Region Electric Operations, Ameren Illinois. "This is a major expansion that will add more load capacity to meet demand from our Pekin industrial customers, while preparing our system for the impending retirement of a nearby coal-fired plant. When fully operational, the Cincinnati Substation gives us the ability to re-route power from other substations in the event of a service disruption."
The enhancements are part of Ameren Illinois' multi-year initiative to modernize its energy delivery system. Since 2012, the company has implemented hundreds of projects, added new technology and strengthened poles, wires and distribution equipment. As a result, reliability has improved by an average of 22 percent and the time of an outage has been reduced by 16 percent.
For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com
