Construction begins on Basin Electric's Crane Creek Substation

Construction began on Basin Electric's Crane Creek substation as part of the Leland Old Station (LOS)-to-Tande 345-kV transmission project. This project was deemed necessary by Southwest Power Pool to ensure the reliability of the transmission system, provide more reliable service to electric cooperative customers, and diversify power resources across the larger transmission system.  

Crane Creek substation will interconnect with two existing 115-kV circuits and two proposed new 115-kV circuits. Bobby Nasset, supervisor of civil engineering and project manager, noted that the substation location was selected to minimize the distance for these new interconnections.  

“Substation grading for the pad site is complete, and foundation construction is ongoing,” Nasset said. “Above-grade construction will start this spring with the delivery of materials and equipment.”   

Crane Creek substation will consist of:   

• Two 345-kV terminals connecting LOS and Tande substations, which are part of the East Loop transmission project.  

• A 345-kV terminal connecting a proposed 345-kV substation planned for the Logan area as part of the LOS-Logan-Crane Creek transmission project.  

• Four 115-kV terminals at Crane Creek for member-owned lines.  

Construction continues on the LOS-to-Tande transmission line, with foundations 90 percent complete. The contractor is currently setting structures, and wire stringing began in November 2025. Construction is on track to be completed in November 2026.