Crews are putting the finishing touches on REC’s Millbrook Substation, near Winchester, bringing a major reliability investment closer to completion.
Outside the station, wooden poles originally installed decades ago are being replaced with modern steel structures designed to better withstand severe weather and reduce the risk of outages.
The project also includes adding new circuits along the rebuilt line, creating additional pathways for electricity to travel and improving system flexibility during outages and changing operating conditions.
“The goal of this work is simple,” said Mat Anderson, Director – Substation and Transmission Engineering and Technical Services. “The construction of this new substation and the replacing of the old line infrastructure around it will allow us to provide reliable service for years to come.”
Crews are installing equipment to help maintain dependable service for members. From robust modern poles leading to the substation, to the breakers and animal guards inside the substation, to state-of-the-art transformers, breakers and relays, they all advance one goal; building a stronger grid that delivers safe, reliable energy to members.
“This work is about strengthening the system in a very practical way,” Anderson said. “Every new substation we build or improvement we make inside an existing substation helps ensure we can deliver reliable service when it matters most.”
The project has also brought together REC’s regional substation crews, creating training opportunities while maintaining a focus on safety, quality and reliability in the field.
“That partnership in the field is important,” Anderson said. “It allows us to blend different experiences and to help newer technicians learn their craft from more experienced ones.”
Substation technicians remain central to the effort, inspecting, maintaining and troubleshooting equipment to ensure the system operates safely and as intended.
“Our technicians are the ones who keep a close eye on the system every day,” Anderson said. “Their work is detailed, technical and essential to making sure everything performs the way it should.”
This major project is expected to be completed near the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027.
