Investing in Reliability
PrintNew Lamb Creek Substation Under Construction
After several years of planning, Northern Lights’ replacement Lamb Creek Substation is finally under construction.
The existing substation, located next to Northern Lights’ Priest Lake warehouse on Highway 57, has reliably served members for more than 55 years. While equipment has been upgraded over time, the facility has reached the end of its service life and is being replaced with a modern substation designed to meet the area’s growing electrical needs.
The importance of this project became clear during the extreme cold experienced in January 2024, when record electrical demand exceeded the original transformer’s 5.6-megavolt-ampere capacity. To maintain reliable service until construction could begin, NLI bought and installed a used 12.5-MVA transformer from a neighboring Montana electric cooperative. The temporary transformer successfully served members over the past 2 winters.
The new substation, located behind NLI’s warehouse, will include a new 25-MVA transformer, modern protection and control equipment, and room for future expansion, as needed. The upgraded systems will improve reliability, provide enhanced wildfire mitigation capabilities, and give NLI dispatch and engineering greater real-time visibility of the substation.
Lamb Creek is just 1 of several major system investments underway. NLI is also upgrading its Laclede and Samuels substations while beginning the early planning stages for a new substation in the Naples area.
These projects are part of NLI’s long-term commitment to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. By investing in our electric system, we are preparing to meet our members’ needs today and in the future.
Northern Lights Engineering and Operations Manager Kristin Burge is an electrical engineer and has worked in the electric utility industry for most of her career.
