Oncor to expand Waco substation to boost reliability
Oncor plans a major substation expansion in Waco to improve power reliability, following February outages and the region's growing energy demands.
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USA, Texas, Waco: As energy demands continue to rise in Central Texas, Oncor is taking significant steps to ensure more reliable power for residents. The utility is set to expand its substation in Waco, located between Park Lane Drive and Meridian Avenue on 25th Street. This decision comes after February’s power outages, which left over 6,000 McLennan County residents without electricity. Gusty winds reaching 35-40 mph contributed to 93 separate outages, affecting nearly 4,000 people.
In response, Oncor plans to upgrade the substation’s equipment with newer, more efficient models, enhancing the overall reliability of the system. The expansion will take place in vacant lots adjacent to the current facility, allowing the substation to better serve the area’s growing population.
In 2024, Oncor invested over $2 B in infrastructure improvements, completing more than 75 substation projects. Over the next five years, further upgrades will continue to keep pace with Central Texas’ increasing energy demands. Oncor submitted an application to the City of Waco Plan Commission on March 25, and construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
This expansion is part of Oncor’s ongoing effort to improve grid reliability and ensure residents have consistent, uninterrupted power as the region grows.
Source: 25 News KXXV
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