Rankin Avenue Reliability Project

Original plans would have placed the Rankin Avenue substation rebuild on the parcel of land between Rankin Avenue and Lexington Avenue, currently a public parking lot near a range of urban trees.

After reviewing community feedback received last summer, Duke Energy and the city of Asheville have been working together to identify an alternative location to rebuild the substation.

We are exploring rebuilding the substation on the parcel adjacent to the existing substation located at Rankin Avenue and Hiawassee Street. This proposed location takes into consideration previously raised concerns with vegetation removals and the loss of public parking at the original proposed location.

The plans to develop a substation at Patton Avenue will move forward. Duke Energy will begin construction immediately after the Rankin Avenue substation rebuild is complete. 

Duke Energy will continue to proactively communicate with project neighbors to share updates. 

Duke Energy welcomes project neighbor questions and feedback by calling 800.952.0414 or emailing MountainRegion@duke-energy.com.

Duke Energy is working closely with the city of Asheville to identify the regulatory requirements and approvals necessary to pursue the substation construction projects.

The Rankin Avenue Reliability Project will provide a modernized substation that will replace the current 50-year-old infrastructure at Rankin Avenue. 

The substation rebuild will help provide increased capacity to continue delivering reliable electricity to meet the region’s growing energy needs and help prevent future outages at nearby businesses as a result of the aging infrastructure.

The Rankin Avenue Reliability Project is located along Rankin Avenue, behind the Harrah’s Cherokee Center. The proposed rebuild location is adjacent to the current substation, at the corner of Rankin Avenue and Hiawassee Street.

Both the Rankin Avenue and Patton Avenue projects are needed to help improve energy reliability and capacity for local businesses and residents in downtown Asheville. 

As the population and businesses in the downtown region have grown, energy needs have placed an increased demand on the current Rankin Avenue substation, which is more than 50 years old. An additional substation at Patton Avenue will help support the growth of the downtown region. 

The Rankin Avenue and Patton Avenue substation projects will help improve the reliability and resiliency of the energy supply in the area – helping to avoid outages and speed restoration when an outage does occur. 

Duke Energy will explore aesthetic considerations and will share plans with the community in the coming months. 

Yes. We will proactively communicate updates to project neighbors, which will include an opportunity to ask questions or share comments. 

We do not anticipate any power outages during the construction process. In the unlikely event that an unforeseen outage does occur, it will be met with immediate attention to restoration by the Duke Energy team.

Rankin Avenue Rebuild

January 2023

• Duke Energy and city of Asheville restart work to explore an ideal location for rebuilding the Rankin Avenue substation and discuss timing for the new Patton Avenue substation

February 2023

• City of Asheville and Duke Energy begin outreach and communicating updates with project neighbors
• Duke Energy conducts site explorations and surveying at the proposed substation locations 

Mid-2023

• Duke Energy begins local regulatory process, including Informal and Formal Design Review, Technical Review, Downtown Commission and more

2024 and Beyond

• Construction and restoration will occur at the Rankin Avenue substation. 
• Upon completion of Rankin Avenue substation rebuild, construction to begin on the new Patton Avenue substation

Patton Avenue Substation

• Construction activities will occur immediately following the completion of the Rankin Avenue substation.

Minimal vegetation clearing is expected at Rankin Avenue. Vegetation clearing plans will be developed at a later date for Patton Avenue. 

If you have any questions, please contact Duke Energy at 800.952.0414 or email MountainRegion@duke-energy.com and reference the Rankin Avenue Reliability Project or Patton Avenue Substation Rebuild.