PEORIA, IL (MAY 28, 2021) – 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.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. Our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.