In 2019, recognizing the need for increased capacity to support current customers and future growth in McPherson’s northeast quadrant, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) embarked on the Mohawk Substation Project. Completed in September 2022, this state-of-the-art substation now significantly enhances the reliability of our power supply and positions McPherson for continued growth. 

The new Mohawk Substation includes the build-out of new distribution circuits. These circuits support the city’s anticipated expansion and provide multiple feeds for the same circuit, allowing for quicker reroutes and significantly reduced downtime during unforeseen outages. This capability ensures McPherson’s industrial and residential customers experience an even more reliable power supply. 

“Our priority has always been to provide reliable and efficient service to our community,” said Josh Bedel, McPherson BPU General Manager. “The Mohawk Substation is a key part of our strategy to meet the growing needs of our customers while ensuring the highest standards of service reliability.” 

A unique aspect of this project was the extensive involvement of BPU’s in-house crews. Unlike many utilities, BPU’s skilled teams handled all the above-grade work themselves, including constructing steel structures, wiring, and control systems. This hands-on approach allowed the project to be completed 20% under budget, providing substantial savings and valuable experience for our crews. 

“Having our internal crews handle the above-grade work means they know the system inside out, which is invaluable for future troubleshooting and maintenance,” added Josh Bedel. 

The Mohawk Substation Project is one of many initiatives aimed at strengthening McPherson’s infrastructure. Looking ahead, the BPU is also focused on the South Well Field Project, which will bring a sustainable water source from 18 miles south to support the community for generations to come. 

For more information, visit mcphersonpower.com or contact Kasi Morales, Key Accounts Manager, at kasim@mcphersonpower.com.