Large Greenfield Substation and Transmission Line to Connect Microsoft Data Center

Microsoft is harnessing regional energy through an interconnection with Chelan County Public Utility District to energize a new data center campus in Chelan County, Washington. Chelan brought HDR on board as the program manager for a large-load interconnection, integrating a new substation and upgrading transmission lines to power the campus. 

Working with a fast-paced tech client like Microsoft meant helping Chelan provide quick responses to requests and closely tracking the program’s scope, schedule and budget. Our program management plan defined the process, assigned accountability, and supplied a framework to nimbly navigate the multitude of variables associated with this complex program.

The data center campus interconnection included a large greenfield substation and relocation of an existing 230-kilovolt transmission line. Connecting the substation to Chelan’s existing transmission infrastructure necessitated two 1.5-mile 115-kV lines — one rebuilt and the other reconductored. The capacity expansion came online in three phases, enabling Microsoft to begin data center operations a year before project completion. 

We regularly facilitated communication between Chelan and Microsoft as we carried out our role, including:

• Substation and transmission line design
• Procurement support
• Specifications development
• Technical and risk management guidance
• Program management information systems tool integration
• Financial and schedule tracking
• Construction management support

Our integration with Chelan allowed its team to remain engaged in strategic project decisions while we support detailed analysis, coordination and documentation.