Project

Solar Interconnection Substation & Switchyard

We are the engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contractor for a 138-kV/34.5-kV substation and interconnecting 138-kV switchyard tying the 80-megawatt (MW) High Horizon solar power facility to the grid in West Virginia.

Opdenergy, a renewable power producer focused on solar and onshore wind production, elected to self-build the interconnection switchyard, which is within the FirstEnergy service territory and will be built to FirstEnergy specifications.

The substation has: four underground feeders to the photovoltaic (PV) solar facility; a single 138/34.5-kV power transformer; a 138-kV circuit breaker. It also has a prefabricated outdoor metal-clad switchgear distribution and control enclosure skid.

The switchyard includes: three 145-kV circuit breakers; six disconnect switches; and a prefabricated control building. The two yards are connected by a 138-kV slack span generation tie.

Client

Opdenergy

Location

West Virginia

Region

Mid-Atlantic

Services

Electrical Transmission & Distribution

Interconnection Facilities

Industry

Power

Solar Interconnection Substation & Switchyard

As the EPC contractor, our team was responsible for the design, procurement and construction of the yards. As such, we self-performed all detailed engineering, engaging both the renewables and FirstEnergy teams for completion of the design. Our procurement teams procured all equipment and material outside of the main power transformer, provided by the owner. Our construction teams managed all site work while engaging FirstEnergy-approved subcontractors.

Supply chain disruptions caused challenges for equipment costs and lead times; the project team navigated those and was able to meet an aggressive completion schedule, in part through adopting a modularized solution for the interconnection switchgear and through progressive EPC execution.