New substation in Boardman, Ore., supports growing energy needs

The Bonneville Power Administration has energized a new high-voltage substation in north-central Oregon to meet increasing demands for electricity and support the interconnection of new generating resources in the Pacific Northwest.

“This new substation illustrates how Bonneville is leading a new era for energy infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest," said BPA Administrator and CEO John Hairston. “Completing this multi-purpose facility prepares BPA to enhance the safe, reliable delivery of more abundant, low-cost electricity to our customers, communities, businesses and industries across the region."

BPA executives will join executives and staff from Umatilla Electric Cooperative, elected officials and other electric industry officials to mark the first phase of the substation's operation. In addition to local benefits, Longhorn will enable approximately 2,500 megawatts of new generator interconnections.

The construction of Longhorn is a precursor to BPA's largescale grid expansion plans. To date, BPA has proposed constructing 23 transmission infrastructure projects totaling approximately $5 billion to meet future regional energy needs.

“Leveraging the grid is critical to meeting the country's electricity demands, including the growing needs of data centers, as well as supporting President Trump and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright's ambitious goals for the grid," said Nick Elliot, director of the Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office. “BPA's new substation showcases how together, we can meet the challenges ahead in fortifying the grid and delivering reliable, secure and affordable energy to the American people."

“The Longhorn Substation is a critical investment in our energy future, made possible by the strong UEC-BPA partnership. It strengthens local infrastructure, enhances regional connectivity, and supports economic growth by attracting industry, creating jobs, and reinforcing the Northwest grid," said Robert Echenrode, General Manager and CEO of Umatilla Electric Cooperative.

UEC purchases wholesale electricity and transmission services from BPA. It serves a large portion of the Columbia Basin and Blue Mountain country of Northeastern Oregon. The cooperative's territory is located west of Boardman in Morrow County and covers much of Umatilla County surrounding the cities of Hermiston and Pendleton and into the Blue Mountains.

Offering an economic power supply and other benefits, UEC and the Port of Morrow have had remarkable success attracting commercial, industrial and agricultural interests to the Boardman area. Longhorn Substation and the transmission lines that will connect to it accommodate immediate electricity needs and allow for future expansion. Longhorn provides an interconnection to BPA's McNary-Coyote Springs 500-kV transmission line and multiple 230-kV connections for UEC to meet its current and future customer needs.

The acknowledgement event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 15. If you would like to cover the event in person or need additional information, contact Doug Johnson at gdjohnson@bpa.gov or 503-713-7658.