Bundles and bundles of energy to the Panhandle

​​​​​​​AMARILLO – Xcel Energy has completed a $7.6 million upgrade to the Soncy Substation at the intersection of W. I-40 and Coulter St. 

The upgrades allow the company to deliver more electricity to the area while improving the reliability of the system.

A new 115-kilovolt line was built to provide the power source for the substation, improving the station’s capacity to deliver more electricity on​to lower-voltage distribution lines from the facility. A new distribution feeder line was also added to relieve high loading on the existing lines.

Xcel is planning other improvement projects in the area over the next five years, including:

• a new transformer and additional feeder lines for the Hillside Substation, which is near capacity due to the surrounding residential and commercial growth;

• ​voltage conversions in northeast Amarillo that will provide options to reroute power in the event of overloading or storm damage;

• capacity upgrades to existing substations serving east and southeast Amarillo;

• a relocation and upgrade of feeder lines that allows for the widening of Loop 335 in south Amarillo and paves the way for additional load growth;

• a new substation and feeder lines in the Preston West development to serve growing residential and commercial demand; and

• a new substation and feeder lines in the Hunsley Hills area in north Canyon to serve recent and planned residential expansion.