As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Flathead Electric invests in the local system on behalf of the members it serves
Flathead Electric Cooperative is completing several major infrastructure projects across its service territory this summer to strengthen the electric system, improve reliability and prepare for continued growth across Northwest Montana.
As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, Flathead Electric invests in the local system on behalf of the members it serves. The latest work includes substation upgrades, new transformers, underground line work and power line reconductoring in areas including Whitefish, Bigfork, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, Kalispell and the Swan.
“These projects take a tremendous amount of planning, coordination and skilled field work,” said Jason Williams, CEO and General Manager of the Co-op. “They may not always be visible to members, but they are essential to keeping the system safe, reliable and ready to meet the needs of our growing communities.”
In Bigfork, crews are working to replace two transformers at the Bigfork Substation, a project that will double the substation’s capacity and help support growing electric needs in the area.
In the Whitefish area, the Co-op is completing a series of projects that will increase portions of the local transmission system from 34.5 kilovolts to 69 kilovolts. That upgrade allows the system to move more electricity more efficiently and creates additional capacity to serve members in the future. The work includes reinsulating power lines and upgrading transformers at the North Valley and Big Mountain substations.
Together, the Whitefish-area projects will add capacity and improve redundancy, giving the Co-op more flexibility to serve the area during high-use periods, planned maintenance or unexpected system issues. Most of the work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, and the Co-op does not anticipate major traffic disruptions.
In Lakeside, the Co-op is planning a new underground feeder along the Bonneville Power Administration right of way to help serve members south of Lakeside.
In Kalispell, additional underground reconductoring work on Tronstad Road will also improve resiliency and redundancy in an area experiencing growth.
Several overhead power line projects are also planned or underway. In the Hungry Horse area, crews are reconductoring lines between Hungry Horse and West Glacier, with work scheduled this year from Coram to Lake Five. Reconductoring involves replacing the wire on existing overhead power lines with new conductor. Similar overhead reconductoring work is also planned in the Swan area.
The Co-op’s system includes over 5,000 miles of power lines, 31 substations and other critical infrastructure that must be maintained, upgraded and expanded as the region grows. Many projects require months or years of engineering, permitting, coordination with landowners and agencies, equipment procurement and careful scheduling to limit disruptions to members.
While some work may cause temporary traffic impacts or planned outages, each project is part of a larger effort to maintain dependable service and avoid more costly or disruptive issues in the future.
“Reliable power does not happen by accident,” said Williams. “It takes long-term planning, regular investment and dedicated crews working in all kinds of conditions. These upgrades are one more example of how your Co-op is planning ahead and taking care of the system our members depend on every day.”
These larger projects are in addition to smaller system upgrades, regular maintenance and tree work that is ongoing across the entire service area. Flathead Electric Cooperative will continue sharing updates with members as major projects move forward.
