Replacement of flooded Alliant substation gets under way

Construction of an Alliant Energy substation to replace the Cedar substation damaged in the June 2008 flood will begin this spring with Alliant's purchase of a site from the city.

The acquisition of the former Rescar site,

1800 10th St. SE, was completed this month, Alliant officials said Monday. The substation should be completed in early 2012, with customers gradually transitioned onto the new substation in late 2012 and 2013.

When the process is complete, Alliant will decommission the flood-damaged Cedar substation and the Cedar temporary substation that was built in three weeks following the flood to restore service quickly to customers.

Most customers currently served through the temporary substation will be transferred to another new substation under construction north of the Five Seasons Parkade.

Alliant is designing its system of substations to provide redundancy, said Tom Aller, president of Alliant's Interstate Power and Light Co. He said the additional capacity will allow Alliant to move most customers off the temporary substation this summer, well before the replacement at the Rescar site is ready.

Alliant will invest about $25 million in the substations and related transmission facilities. The design of the system will provide greater protection against future floods. The system also will be designed for the growth needs of the flood-recovery era, including a new federal courthouse, the new convention center and the medical district.