Two rural Dawson Public Power District substations will be getting upgrades after the 2024 irrigation season. Sub 26, located southwest of Gothenburg, will be upgraded as part of a voltage conversion. Sub 35, located northeast of Gothenburg, is being improved to accommodate growing irrigation loads. The projects will be completed by contractors, who will be determined by a bid process.
Dawson PPD plans to upgrade two rural substations near Gothenburg, Nebraska. Work will not begin until the 2024 irrigation season has ended.
“Our electric system runs at peak capacity during irrigation season, so the upgrades aren’t scheduled to start until October 1,” says Cole Brodine, Manager of Engineering. “Power will be re-routed to customers during construction. The projects must be completed by May 1, 2025, so we’re ready for the next irrigation season.”
The Sub 26 update will convert it from 34,500 volts to 69,000 volts. The change will increase the capacity, with up to three times more power on the existing lines between area substations. This improves efficiency and decreases operational costs. The rebuild will also modernize the design and provide options for future substation automation.
An increase in irrigation load has made upgrades at Sub 35 necessary. Over the last four years, there has been an almost 70% increase in power required at that substation. This is equivalent to adding 34, 100-horsepower irrigation wells. The loads have come from conversions to electric irrigation equipment upgrades and the re-activation of previously unused services.
“The Gothenburg area electric load growth is similar to what we are experiencing across our territory. District wide, Dawson PPD has added over 11,500 horsepower of irrigation services since 2019. Our job is to meet that need while controlling costs. We monitor system loads and use long-range planning for construction projects,” Brodine explains.
The sealed bid process is required for projects exceeding $750,000, as outlined in the recently passed LB 969. Bids will be opened on July 24. Dawson PPD’s board will review the bids and staff recommendations at their August meeting.