GRAYLING – Consumers Energy has begun construction on the Skyline Substation, a project aimed at improving electric service and supporting economic growth in the Grayling area.
According to a July 28 news release from Consumers Energy, the new substation, located along West 4 Mile Road near I-75 south of Grayling, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Substations are key components of the electrical grid, managing electricity flow by adjusting voltage levels and directing power where needed.
“Consumers Energy is committed to building a smarter electric grid through our Reliability Roadmap that put us on the path to fewer and shorter power outages,” Greg Salisbury, senior vice president of electric distribution, said in a statement.
The Skyline Substation will be located closer to most Grayling residents than the existing facility it will replace.
In addition to the new substation, Consumers Energy plans to clear lines and upgrade several miles of power lines to modernize the local grid and reduce the risk of outages.
The upgrades are also expected to support regional economic development, including a new Saab manufacturing facility scheduled to open next year.
Consumers Energy’s Reliability Roadmap is a long-term plan to limit outages and restore power more quickly. The company has set goals to keep outages from affecting more than 100,000 customers during severe storms and to restore power to all customers within 24 hours.
Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents in the Lower Peninsula, providing electricity and natural gas.