Back to Blog

OPALCO works with BPA to maintain a safe and reliable electric system

All of San Juan County will experience a planned power outage beginning at 11:00 pm on Thursday, September 15th and ending by 6:00 am on Friday, September 16th. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is conducting this outage event in their substation in Anacortes, which is the point of delivery for power in the San Juan Islands. OPALCO crews will take advantage of this opportunity to conduct required inspection and maintenance work on our system.

This outage impacts all of San Juan County; unfortunately, there is no way to reroute power to the islands during the maintenance work. Although redundancy exists in much of OPALCO’s distribution system (submarine cables and overhead/underground lines), BPA’s transmission is currently a single radial line into the substation that feeds OPALCO’s system. “The cost to add a second transmission line would be prohibitive,” said OPALCO System Engineer Joel Mietzner. “And the cost of litigation to condemn residential property along the path of the transmission line in Anacortes makes it especially complex and expensive.”

Compliance with the National Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is mandated for systems of 115kV and larger, but will likely (in the next 2-3 years) include smaller systems like OPALCO’s of 69kV and larger. OPALCO keeps in compliance with NERC standards as a routine operations practice; which includes 24 switches on our system that we methodically test and maintain.

OPALCO members are responsible for their own equipment and OPALCO encourages all members to install surge protection to safeguard electronic, computer and other sensitive equipment and appliances. To prepare for the outage, it’s a good idea to keep a flashlight handy overnight and turn sensitive electronics and equipment off at the surge protector, or unplug them completely. First thing in the morning, turn electronics and appliances back on slowly, one at a time. For more information on surge protection, to learn how to prepare for an outage and what to do during an outage, go to our Power Info section.

You may also like...

map showing land needed for solar arrays

Why Local Renewable Projects? Mainland Power Demand Will Soon Exceed Supply

OPALCO is Preparing for Mainland Rolling Blackouts Did you know the Northwest power grid almost crashed during the January 2024 cold snap? As the hydro system hit capacity, the region … Read more
bailerhill

Bailer Hill Microgrid Update

We need your help today – keep reading to find out how you can help! The Bailer Hill Microgrid project on San Juan Island will include a community solar array … Read more
tidal power

OPALCO Awarded Phase 1 Funding to Explore Tidal Generator in Rosario Strait

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technolgies Office has competitively selected OPALCO as one of two organizations to explore tidal energy development for what OPALCO hopes will become the … Read more