Eklutna Hydroelectric Transmission System Upgrade

Integral to the reliability of the transmission system serving Anchorage and the Mat-Su, this project includes the construction of a Fossil Creek substation on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER). The project also removes the substation atop the Eklutna Hydroelectric facility powerhouse and repositions it to the parking lot west of the building, a location easier to maintain and adds necessary components to accommodate better control of power from the hydro facility and the new Eklutna Generation Station (EGS). The Fossil Creek substation is located near the existing Briggs Tap on the Eklutna – Anchorage Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) transmission line.

This request provides the scoping, preliminary and final design with some hardware for the Fossil Creek substation, as well as complete design and procurement of hardware for removal and repositioning of the current Eklutna hydro station.

Substations are absolutely essential to the entire Railbelt system to ensure control, power delivery, and protection of the grid. New substations are necessary in high-growth areas to provide power for the growing demand. This project serves a growing area in the Municipality of Anchorage (Eagle River, Birchwood, and Chugiak) and provides for economical delivery of EGS power to the grid.