The NPPD Tech One Substation, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Members of the Nebraska Public Power District provided an update on an upcoming 115kV transmission line project to the Buffalo County commissioners during their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“The need for this project is based on Kearney’s rapid growth and the current transmission system’s high electrical demand. The new 115 kV transmission line will increase the transmission system’s capacity to meet increasing demand and further enhance reliability and resiliency in the Kearney area,” NPPD stated about the project.
The NPPD staff told the commissioners that 85 percent of the right-of-way easements have been granted and several of the construction or material contracts have been awarded.
A final line route for the Kearney Power Project’s new 115 kV transmission line was announced on May 10, 2023. The project is now in phase 4, in which NPPD representatives work with property owners along the route on the project’s next steps, per NPPD.
According to the final route map, the new line will run from a tower substation north up 30th Ave. and then jog east along W. 70th Ave. It will then turn north up 2nd Ave. and then continue east along W. 78th St.
From here it will turn south along Antelope Ave. before making its final turn east to the Tech One Substation.
According to the NPPD staff, there are six phases of construction, including land preparation, land access, installing the concrete foundations, erecting the metal structures, stringing wires and finally restoration.
Most of the work will be done during the winter and the projects completion date is set for the spring of 2025.
