Spier Falls to Rotterdam New 115kV Line Project

This project is critically important to the delivery of safe, reliable power to the region as electric needs have increased over the years. In fact, this region surrounding Saratoga Springs and north is the largest growth area in terms of electric load in National Grid’s upstate New York service territory.

National Grid’s proposal was accepted and approved earlier this year by the Public Service Commission and the company is currently working with land owners along the route to acquire needed easements and land in order to begin work in late 2011, early 2012.

This project includes a new, 115 kv transmission line to run 33 miles from National Grid’s Rotterdam substation to its Spier Falls substation, in addition to a 4.2 mile line in the Town of Ballston. The new line will be constructed adjacent to existing 115 kv lines on National Grid's existing Right of Way. By using its existing Right of Way for the installation of the new line, National Grid has minimized the need to acquire new property rights.

The project will cost an estimated $88.42 million to complete and is part of more than $1.47 billion National Grid is spending over a five year period to improve infrastructure across upstate New York.

The project will take an estimated 18 months to complete.

Overview of the Project

Approximately, 270 structures will be installed to support 33 miles of new 115kV line between National Grid’s Spier Falls to Rotterdam stations. These new lines will parallel an existing 115kV line and will be installed primarily on existing National Grid owned property.

An existing line will be re-built from National Grid's Ballston station 4.2 miles westerly to a point where it intersects the new lines noted above.

The new lines will provide additional reliability and service to approximately 45,000 commercial and residential customers.

This project is a good example of the infrastructure improvement work we are doing in upstate New York.  It will increase the reliability of power delivery to commercial and residential customers throughout the region.

National Grid Upstate New York Territory Facts

National Grid distributes electricity to approximately 1.6 million customers in upstate New York.

In the Eastern Division of upstate New York, National Grid serves about 520,000 gas and electric customers spanning more than 7,200 square miles.

In the Eastern Division of upstate New York, National Grid operates and maintains more than 12,500 miles of overhead distribution line, and nearly 3,000 miles of underground distribution line. In this division, we also operate and maintain more than 63,000 street lights and more than 200 substations that serve 12 cities, 188 towns and villages within 13 counties.

National Grid has 4,700 employees in upstate New York.

National Grid pays $156 million in state and local taxes annually in upstate New York.