For a number of years the Management of NRPPD knew that enhancing the eastern portion of the system with a new substation was in order. However, without a significant load increase it was difficult to justify construction of a new substation to support the heavily loaded Gordon facility. Management knew that the next substation should be located between the existing Flats, Gordon, and Hay Springs facilities to allow it to back up any one of the other three substations when required.
With newer technology and a host of modern equipment to choose from, the substation is set up with efficiency in mind. The climate controlled building is much more spacious than its predecesors, and it houses a robust battery backup system as well as modern electronic protective relays, metering equipment, and SCADA communications. The upgrades selected were relatively easy decisions based on the increase in reliability added to the design, and the protective features now available for a modern medium voltage substation.