San Miguel Power is preparing to embark on the West End Reliability project where we will make a series of important upgrades at the Nucla Substation in order to improve power reliability for our members in the West End. SMPA is rooted in the West End. It is where we were born. Needless to say, some of our equipment in that region is showing its age, and it's time to modernize.

The West End Reliability Project will include a transformer replacement and the installation of new breakers and protective devices. One of the most important components of our project is installing a new transformer in the Nucla Substation. In the summer of 2013 a lightning strike destroyed the original transformer, cutting power to the West End for almost 17 hours. In order to keep power flowing to the region, we were forced to install an older transformer from a substation that had been recently removed. This was a temporary solution. The new transformer, along with an identical spare were delivered last month.

New Nucla Transformer: The new transformer bound for the Nucla Substation, along with an identical spare unit, were delivered in mid-February. The original transformer was damaged in a lightning strike in the summer of 2013. The spare unit will serve as a dedicated backup transformer for the West End. Photo by Scott Reed, Substation Tech

In addition to the new transformer, we will also be installing modern breakers and relays - important protective devices. This will give us more options for keeping the lights on during maintenance activities. It will also allow our equipment to coordinate with the Nucla Power Plant. Currently, SMPA's breakers and relays in the Nucla Substation and the breakers located at the Nucla Power Plant do not work well together. The modern equipment to be installed will be able to interact with the equipment located at the power plant. This means faults on the lines can be more easily located and sectionalized, minimizing the impact of a power outage.

It's a big project, with big results, but it won't come without growing pains. Numerous and sometimes lengthy planned power outages will be needed in order to complete the work. In some cases, all member accounts from Nucla and Naturita west to the Utah border will be without power. At other times, SMPA will be able to minimize the outage to a particular area. I'm asking for your patience, understanding, and support as we work through these outages.

We are currently in the process of solidifying design plans and procuring a BLM permit. Some excavation and cement work may take place in early spring, but we anticipate that the planned outages will not occur until late spring and early summer. We'll continue to put updates in this newsletter, release public service announcements to the local paper and radio stations, and utilize our phone system to make automated calls. I also recommend visiting our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SanMiguelPower, because we'll be posting outage alerts and reminders there as well.