EPCOR powers up Edmonton's core

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - A newly nstalled underground transmission cable running 10.5 kilometers long under the streets of Edmonton is powering the core of the city.

The new line is designed to accommodate rapidly growing electricity demand resulting from Edmonton's high growth rate, and provide additional security of supply to Edmonton's city centre. The 240 kilovolt cable runs underground from the Castle Downs Substation at 16253 97 Street to the Victoria Substation at 10520 104 Street.

"The continued prosperity of the Edmonton city core depends on a secure and reliable supply of electricity," said Guy Bridgeman, EPCOR Senior Vice President. "Downtown Edmonton continues to grow, and this project will ensure we can support that growth long into the future."

"We congratulate EPCOR on the successful completion of this project," said Neil Millar, Vice President Transmission, Alberta Electric System Operator. "As is the case in many areas of the province, this transmission upgrade is critical to ensuring the long term reliability of the electric system and to meeting customers' growing demand for service. We appreciate the amount of teamwork and cooperation demonstrated by EPCOR on this project."

The three year initiative involved extensive public consultation, a major directional drilling operation, and trenching and cable pulling along busy roadways.