Ameren Illinois announced today it is strengthening the electric grid by installing a new, high capacity power line and fortifying two substations to enhance service reliability for nearly 13,000 customers in Tazewell County.
Nearly eight miles of line will be strung between 200 power poles connecting to a new bulk substation the company will begin constructing just south of Allentown in early July. When completed in the summer 2017, the new substation will be connected to the grid with the Central, Southwood and Bush substations in Morton, creating alternate pathways to re-route and deliver power in the event of an outage. The new bulk substation will enhance customer service reliability for customers in Allentown, Morton, Hopedale, Minier, Armington and for many rural customers along the circuit.
Starting in mid-July, the company plans to expand the size of the Koch Substation on South 2nd Street in Pekin by adding a second transformer. The second transformer and backup feed will also support future customer growth and enhance service reliability in the area.
“These projects are a key step in our long-range plans to fortify the electric delivery system and reduce outages,” said Daetta Jones, director of Division Operations for Ameren Illinois covering Tazewell County. “The grid is evolving and we're excited to bring these enhancements to customers in the region."
Over 20 crew members are expected to work on the projects, providing a much needed economic boost to the region.
Since 2012, Ameren Illinois has implemented hundreds of system reliability projects by adding new technology and fortifying the energy grid. As a result, reliability has improved by an average of 17 percent, saving Ameren Illinois customers an estimated $48 million a year. The utility has added more than 800 employees, and more than 1,200 Illinois-based contract workers who are supporting Ameren Illinois projects.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 816,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois, Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.
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