An example of how an Idaho Power substation appears in an urban setting.

Project Need
Southwest Ada County, between Meridian and Kuna, continues to see steady residential development. In order to serve the growing electrical needs of this area, Idaho Power anticipates a new electrical distribution substation will be required in the area of Columbia and Meridian roads by 2015.

This substation would be served by a new 138,000-volt (138-kV) sub-transmission line constructed along Columbia Road between Cloverdale and Meridian roads. Should growth increase faster than projected, the substation and sub-transmission line would be needed sooner.

Substation Details
The proposed Columbia Substation site is located on the west side of Meridian Road about one-quarter mile north of the intersection of Meridian and Columbia roads. The 1.5-acre substation site, adjacent to Meridian Road (Idaho 69), is about 260 feet square. Click for a printable map (PDF, 411KB). The station would have a gravel surface, be enclosed by a seven-foot-tall slatted chain link fence and surrounded by landscaping.

A sign has been posted, indicating that the property is a permitted electrical substation site with construction anticipated in 2015. Until then, the site will be leased back to the previous landowner or another third party as agricultural land.

Sub-Transmission Line Details
The 138-kV sub-transmission line serving the new Columbia Substation would use single tubular steel poles about 80 feet tall, with spans averaging 300 feet. The 3.25-mile line would be constructed along Columbia Road, from Cloverdale to Meridian roads. It would then turn north along Meridian Road for a quarter-mile to the Columbia Substation site. The line's construction would coincide with the need date for the Columbia Substation anticipated in 2015.

See Project Schedule for the proposed schedule.

Check out our Electric Facts, learn more about electricity, or how Idaho Power plans for growth.