Wilson Construction

Other Services

Switchyard and Substations

With over 60 years in the industry, we approach your switchyard or substation project with proven expertise you can count on.

Frequently working switchyard and substation projects on a fast-track basis, the Wilson team is well seasoned in providing quality design/build projects and on-time results, delivered above our clients’ expectations. With switchyard experience through 500kV, you can be confident your project will be completed with the expertise you need.

Whether your project is located in a densely populated urban area or remote location, we can provide quick mobilization, conscientious construction services, and fast results to meet your project objectives. Our ability to provide flexible design/build solutions means that your project won’t be subject to long design lead times and delays. A collaborative team approach allows for construction to be completed concurrent with the design, resulting in a project you can use sooner.

Responsive to your project needs. Isn’t that what you have been looking for?

Wilson Construction… The Fast-Track to Success

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Projects Examples

Terminal Substation Replacement Project, UT

This EPC project incorporated a 345kV/138kV addition to PacifiCorp’s existing Terminal Substation that dates back to the early 1900’s. Work consisted of removal of two undersized 345kV transformers with the addition of two 345kV (700 MVA) transformers, two 345 breakers, two 345kV air break switches, (18) 138kV breakers, (45) 138kV air break switches and a new 138kV Control House all located within the center of an energized substation. The physical build for the equipment included over 330 drilled concrete piers, the construction of a new 345kV double circuit transmission line, foundations for two large self-contained transformer pads and a 138kV Control House. Some challenges Wilson faced during construction included a high ground water table and poor soils, the existing station had to remain in service, qualifying structures and equipment to the latest IEEE 693 standards… all while braving winter weather in Utah.

Three Peaks Substation and 138kV Transmission Line, UT

Wilson Crews began work on this design and build 345kV-138kV substation in the early spring of 2009. The substaion is located on approximately 40 acres near Cedar City, Utah. The 345kV breaker-and-a-half configuration consists of two bays that include two 345kV line terminals, one 345kV/138kV transformer terminal, one 345kV shunt reactor and one 345kV Series Capacitor Bank. The 138kV yard includes two 138kV circuit breakers and a 30 MVAR shunt capacitor bank. There is a common control building located in the center of the yard. The 345kV Sigurd to Red Butte line was intercepted and routed in and out of the new Three Peaks substation. Phase Transposition structures were designed and installed in two locations on the 345kV line. Included in this contract is the addition of a 138kV line position, the rework of existing 138kV transmission line at the West Cedar Substation, and replacement of existing wave traps, line tuner, supply of C&R panels at the Sigurd and Red Butte Substations. 6.2 miles of 138kV line was designed and built from the new Three Peaks Substation to the existing WECCO location.

Hermiston 500kV Switchyard & 500kV Transmission Line, OR

Wilson Construction was awarded the EPC contract to build seven miles of 500kV overhead transmission line and 500kV switchyard at the Hermiston Power Plant in Oregon. The transmission line included 36 monopole steel structures, a total of 921,495 lbs of steel for the seven mile line. Construction was a single-circuit, triple-bundle bunting 1272 wire with the sock line flown in by helicopter. One of the wire pulls had 7 railroad crossings, as well as crossing over four distribution lines and several county roads. Another pull extended over energized 115kV and 69kV lines and crossed U.S. 395.

The switchyard was built on approximately 146,000 square feet, with a 5" ring bus and four ABB SF-6 2000 amp circuit breakers, three of which were for the GSU's and a fourth tie-breaker. Additional scope was added for Wilson to dress-out, heat, pull-vacuum and oil-fill the transformers (two 230 MVA's and one 300 MVA), accomplished during December when nighttime and daytime temperatures often remained well below freezing.

Construction of the switchyard at the Hermiston Power Plant was designed to interconnect the new generation facilities to the regional power administration's 500kV grid. Wilson received the 2002 Quality Project of the Year Award from our Client.

Metcalf Energy Center, 230kV Switchyard, CA

This design/build contract involved the construction of a new switchyard, the Metcalf/Coyote Switching Station, to serve the generating plant. The switchyard is unusual and consists of two separate projects under one contract. One half of the switchyard is owned by an IPP and one half is owned by PG&E. Design and construction standards of each owner had to be followed on their specific sides of the dividing fence running through the center of the yard and all communication and control equipment for each yard was housed in separate control buildings. The MEC/Coyote switchyard is a nine breaker 230kV, 3000A breaker and a half scheme approximately 1100 MVA.

This fast-track project included the design/build of a 230kV substation and transmission line interconnection to service a new 750 megawatt power plant. The substation design utilized a 3000 amp, breaker and one half scheme and will allow connections to seven GSU transformers and four outgoing transmission lines. This project included a new control building and control system to interconnect with the Pacific Gas and Electric transmission facilities.

Our team's scope of work included concrete foundations for the structures, underground electrical conduit and cabling, an electrical grounding system consisting of driven copper ground rods and buried copper cabling, gravel surfacing in the switchyard, chain link fence to enclose the yard, structural steel supports for the equipment, aluminum bus and conductors, electrical equipment for the control and distribution of power, two pre-engineered metal control buildings. This project also included three circuits of 230kV XLPE underground cable. The circuits are 13' deep short runs that interconnect between the GSU's and termination structures within the switchyard.

115kV GIS Substation, CO

Holy Cross Energy in Glenwood Springs awarded this design/build project to Areva T&D. As Areva's subcontractor, our scope of work included the construction of a GIS substation, including sitework, ductbank, two buildings (one to house the GIS substation and one to house two transformers), and the installation of substation equipment, switchgear/panels and transformers.

A number of environmental concerns had to be addressed in the construction and scheduling of this project. Concerns about protecting seasonal elk migration limited our time to complete this project as work could not be completed during migration periods. Nearby wetlands required additional attention and protective measures as well.

Additionally, we coordinated our construction activities with those of the underground transmission line contractor to minimize disruptions to complete work in a timely and efficient manner. Unique to this project was the requirement for certain aesthetic designs, including the construction of buildings facades to look like ranch barns in keeping with the local architectural styles and landscaping designs to shield outdoor transition stations from public view.