Elsmere substation upgrade plan advances
National Grid aims to replace the ageing Elsmere facility, retire three substations, and boost grid reliability across Delmar and Bethlehem by 2028.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, New York, Delmar: National Grid’s plan to modernise the ageing Elsmere substation has moved a step closer, with the Bethlehem Planning Board scheduling a public hearing for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, to assess a special use permit and site plan application.
The proposal involves demolishing the 1970-built facility at 25 Mason Road and replacing it with a higher-capacity substation. This modernised infrastructure would enable the retirement of three substations – Delmar, Juniper, and Quail Hollow – while improving power delivery to customers in Delmar, Bethlehem, and Elsmere.
Located in a Core Residential zone primarily intended for low-intensity housing, the substation requires a special use permit due to its classification as a non-conforming public utility.
National Grid cited urgent infrastructure concerns: “The transformer bank has poor dissolved gas analysis results,” it reported, with key switchgear nearing end-of-life. The new station will operate at 13.2 kV, replacing obsolete 4.8 kV systems and enhancing capacity and reliability.
The substation upgrade follows widespread outages in late June, when transformer failures during extreme heat cut power to thousands. Temporary upgrades have since been installed.
Decommissioning of the three older sites is expected by June 2028, with Juniper and Quail Hollow sites to be cleared and restored to gravel.
Environmental assessments confirmed no wetlands permits or historic site conflicts. National Grid indicated flexibility regarding landscaping and is engaging with community feedback.
Source: Spotlight News
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