Basin Electric completes new Springbrook substation

Basin Electric’s latest project to come on line—Springbrook substation, located approximately 10 miles from Williston, North Dakota—was energized on April 8, along with the 6.5-mile 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line connecting it to the East Fork substation. The facility’s 12-acre footprint comprises three 345-kV power circuit breakers and a 345/115-kV transformer.

Basin Electric is actively investing in critical generation and transmission infrastructure to support growing demand. The completion of Springbrook substation marks another step in a series of transmission projects in western North Dakota aimed at strengthening system reliability and providing a foundation for load growth.

“The need for the substation was identified by Southwest Power Pool and transmission planning which is typically based on system conditions and load forecasts,” Stacey Kessler, senior electrical engineer, said. “It was built in coordination with Mountrail-Williams for routing and connection of the 115-kV transmission line to the substation.”

The partnership on this effort with Basin Electric Class C member Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Williston, allowed for reduced costs and environmental impacts while building for the future.

Completion of the Springbrook substation strengthens Basin Electric’s ability to support progress while continuing to deliver safe, affordable, and reliable energy to its membership.