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Second Phase of Electrical System Upgrade Planned for Dec. 11-17

Dual transmission feeds will boost service reliability and capacity

Starkville Utilities will soon complete the second phase of an electric distribution system upgrade that will enhance reliability, minimize outages and increase capacity to serve Starkville’s current and future power needs.

As part of this project, crews will be preforming system switching December 13-17 in conjunction with TVA, weather permitting. Customers are not expected to experience service disruptions during this period.

The project window in mid-December is a low-usage period when most schools are on break, which will reduce the potential for service interruptions while work is taking place. Project planners also have been coordinating closely with Mississippi State University and other large users to minimize impacts to their operations.

“Infrastructure investments are a key driver of our Future FOCUS initiative to ensure that customers enjoy safe, reliable, affordable utilities now and well into the future,” said Terry Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “Once this upgrade is complete, our customers will be served by a more advanced and resilient power-delivery system with ample capacity to support Starkville’s continued growth.”

This project builds on a milestone completed earlier this year when Starkville Utilities commissioned the new southwest substation, which provided a second transmission line connection from Tennessee Valley Authority along with additional system improvements.

Since that time, crews have focused on upgrading Starkville Utilities’ primary and northeast substations to complete this new transmission feed and improve existing system operations.

Once this work is complete, Starkville will be well positioned for the future, said Kemp.

“We had operational issues that made operational switching a challenge and often impacted electrical service to our customers, but we have that capability now,” he explained. “This project phase will eliminate the problem while providing more operational flexibility to shift and transfer loads without disrupting power flow to customers.”

Next spring, Starkville Utilities will focus on upgrading several internal points on the distribution system to modernize Starkville’s electrical infrastructure and enhance service reliability.

“Our focus is keeping Starkville’s utility systems in top operating condition and making strategic investments that improve performance without raising rates,” Kemp said. “It’s all in keeping with our Renew Principle commitment to achieve operational excellence and prepare for our customers’ future energy needs.”

Starkville Utilities is a public utility serving 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville, Mississippi as well as Mississippi State University. Its mission is to supply safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric and water service of superior quality and value that improves the lives of its customers.

We are a Water and Electric Utilities Company in Starkville