Overview of the project
Fostered by the expansion of Highway 17 and the future expansion of Military Cutoff Road, electric demand is growing northeast of Wilmington. Additional capacity on the electric distribution lines that serve area homes and businesses is needed. To meet this anticipated demand, a new substation and transmission line are being planned.
The substation will be built on Duke Energy-owned property located off Porters Neck Road. This station will house new technologies designed to enhance electric power reliability, increase available electricity and increase resiliency during severe weather events.
To power this substation, a new electric transmission line is needed to connect it to the electric grid. The new transmission line will tie to the Castle Hayne-Folkstone 230-kV line or the Castle Hayne-Wilmington Corning Switching Station 230-kV transmission lines.
Project description
- A new 4- to 6-mile-long 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line
- Three switches – components that allow operators to move the electric load from one power line to another during outages or required maintenance, reducing or eliminating power outages
Benefits to the community
- Enhances Duke Energy's ability to provide safe and reliable energy to homes, community facilities and businesses in the area
- Addresses the need for additional electric capacity to continue delivering reliable power and meeting the growing energy needs of the region
- Improves the resiliency of the electric system during periods of changing demand and severe weather conditions
Public input
Duke Energy appreciates community feedback and remains committed to conducting an open route selection process. We will provide multiple opportunities and methods for gathering input from the community, including two workshops/open houses, establishing an
interactive website and providing a toll-free phone number and email address for neighbors' questions and comments.
We are committed to selecting the route that has the least overall effect on property owners, the environment and the community.
Next steps
- The public comment period is open for 30 days (closing Feb. 22). Project neighbors can submit comments by mail, email or through the online interactive map.
- An Open House was held on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Scotts Hill Baptist Church, located at 185 Scotts Hill Loop Road in Wilmington, N.C.
- A community workshop was held at the Scotts Hill Baptist Church, located at 185 Scotts Hill Loop Road in Wilmington, N.C., from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018.
- Through Aug. 28, 2018, the public was able to share comments and questions by signing on to the interactive map and completing the survey. The public was also able to print the survey from the News and Resources section below and submit it to the address listed at the bottom of the survey.
