News > CEO’s Message – May 2025

CEO’s Message – May 2025

Ensuring Reliability through Our Construction Work Plan

Providing reliable electric service is central to our Cooperative’s mission. To safeguard the reliability and integrity of our distribution system we perform annual maintenance activities like vegetation management, pole testing and line inspections. Our substation crews also conduct monthly inspections within our 33 substations to ensure equipment is in good working order and responding properly to system conditions.

Beyond regular maintenance, we plan and budget for projects identified in our Construction Work Plan (CWP). 

WHAT IS A CONSTRUCTION WORK PLAN?
The CWP is a multi-year list of capital projects strategically developed to meet projected load growth, maintain reliability and enhance system resiliency. Through these projects, we proactively replace and upgrade substations, power lines and equipment before rated capabilities are exceeded or the end of useful life is reached. 

2025 CWP PROJECTS
There are 36 CWP projects scheduled for this year, half of which are substation upgrades. The rest include underground cable replacements, overhead power line replacements and overhead-to-underground conversions. 

Substation Upgrades 

• The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system at our substations will be upgraded with enhanced real time automation controllers (RTACs) to improve remote monitoring and control. Fourteen substations have already been updated, and five additional substations are planned for this year. 
• Several substation reclosers will be upgraded. Reclosers serve as automatic circuit breakers designed to quickly interrupt and reclose a circuit after a temporary fault is detected. Reclosers help minimize the duration and impact of power outages by automatically restoring electric service if the fault clears itself. These upgraded reclosers, with improved electronic controllers, are a major part of our SCADA system and fully integrate with our upgraded RTACs. 
• The Millwood and Munson substations will be expanded to provide better access to equipment, creating a safer working environment. 

Powerline Replacements/Conversions 

• 3.1 miles of underground power line cable replacements are scheduled, including near Sauk Lake, Lake Osakis, Hermitage Road and Melanie Way (Collegeville), and Robin Brook Estates (St. Augusta). 
• 8.7 miles of overhead power line replacements are scheduled, including near 200th Street (Fairhaven), 230th Street (Zion), County Road 118 (St. Stephen) and 28th Avenue (St. Augusta). 
• 9.5 miles of overhead power lines will be converted to underground, including projects near County Road 13 (Pillsbury), 230th Street (Bangor), Majestic Drive (St. Augusta), County Road 133 (St. Joseph/Sartell), Highway 22 (Munson) and Little Birch Lake. 

If you live in or travel through these different areas, you may come across our field or contractor crews working to complete these projects. Please help us keep our employees safe by slowing down and moving over while these distribution system enhancements to safely provide you with long-term reliable electric service are underway. 

Sincerely,

Matt O’Shea
Chief Executive Officer