Basin Electric Leland Olds Station substation energized

Construction on the new Leland Olds Station substation is drawing to a close. The facility is one of Basin Electric's largest substations, with room for future expansion.

Located near Stanton, North Dakota, the size of the 19.5-acre substation is directly correlated to the number of connected transmission lines. It includes nine line terminals: two 230-kV lines connected to two 345/230-kV transformers and seven 345-kV transmission lines. One of the 345-kV terminals connects to the Crane Creek Substation, part of Basin Electric's East Loop 345-kV transmission project, while another serves the Oliver Wind interconnection.

"This type of investment in the bulk electric system is required to ensure the cooperative can continue to provide reliable electricity to its members," Tyler Bosch, Basin Electric construction coordinator, said.

Over 700 foundations totaling about 5,000 cubic yards of concrete were installed in 2023, and general construction began in November of that same year. Other milestones included erecting steel beams, installing underground conduit and grounding, and moving two 230/345-kV autotransformers and two 345-kV oil-filled line shunt reactors from the old substation to the new substation. The final 230-kV line will be energized by mid-November. This will complete the substation terminals and line construction.

The completion of the Leland Olds Station substation paves the way for continued growth and innovation, reinforcing Basin Electric's commitment to delivering safe, affordable, and sustainable energy to its members.