Midwest Electric is budgeting $3.3 million in investments in power reliability and electric operations in 2024. 

Primary 2024 work plan components:

• Continuing the multiyear installation of a distribution automation (DA) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, which will reduce the length of major outages by using automation to remotely and quickly transfer load (or "backfeed") from one source to another. The goal is to eventually make this switching capability available system-wide to 17 substations and metering points. 
• Tree trimming in the Macedon substation and the Jonestown, Rockford, and Spencerville metering point areas. Tree pruning is performed on a five-year cycle throughout the co-op's 1,536 miles of power line. Trees and branches are a primary cause of power outages and blinking lights. 
• Pole testing in the St. Henry substation area. All 33,000 of Midwest Electric's poles are tested on a 10-year cycle for sturdiness and reliability. Typically less than 1% fail the test and those are replaced. 
• Purchase of new equipment including meters, transformers, line reclosers, voltage regulators and poles.
• Additional information technology (IT) hardware and software as technology expands deeper into our electric operations areas such as digital electric meters, SCADA, DA, and remote monitoring and control. 

"Our engineering staff does an impressive job of planning for the future growth and power reliability needs of our members, and the operations crews are dedicated to restoring power safely and efficiently," says CEO Matt Berry. 

For updates on construction throughout the year, follow Midwest Electric on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Have questions about upcoming construction in your area? Give Midwest Eelctric's office a call at 800-962-3830.