March 24, 2021
STARKVILLE – With the brand-new southwest substation as their backdrop, Starkville Utilities and Tennessee Valley Authority representatives hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony today [March 24] to formally commission the state-of-the-art facility on Azalea Lane, which represents a major step forward in modernizing and improving Starkville’s electrical distribution system.
“The new southwest substation is part of our Future FOCUS initiative to ensure customers are served with safe, reliable, affordable utilities now and well into the future,” said Terry Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “It also reinforces the value of our partnership with TVA in meeting our customers’ energy needs and powering Starkville’s growth.”
In addition to Kemp, attendees included Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, TVA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Skaggs, Greater Starkville Development Partnership CEO Mike Tagert, elected officials, and project team members from Starkville Utilities, Mississippi State University and local consulting and contracting firms.
“We appreciate our strong partnership with Starkville Utilities and this opportunity to celebrate the opening of a substation that will strengthen the power system and ensure reliable, cost-effective power now and in the future,” said TVA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Skaggs. “This new substation will help us keep the energy flowing, even during extreme weather events, and will help attract new businesses and quality jobs to the area for years to come.”
In addition to modern equipment and technology, the new southwest substation includes a second transmission line from TVA that significantly enhances service reliability and minimizes outages. In the event primary power is lost, the backup feed ensures a continuous flow of electricity for Starkville Utilities customers.
The $10 million construction and upgrade project also includes a separate industrial substation dedicated to supporting manufacturing and large industrial customers in Starkville Utilities’ service area.
Starkville Utilities’ electrical system now includes a total of five substations that provide ample capacity to support Starkville’s current and future power needs.
“In planning for the new substation, we wanted to make sure it was a timely, economical investment that would benefit all of Starkville Utilities’ customers for many years,” said Mayor Lynn Spruill. “Today, Starkville Utilities is better positioned to serve the city’s growing power needs with the addition of the new southwest substation.”
Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.