SMUD plans new substation in the Railyards to meet Sacramento’s growing energy needs
EDUCATION STUDENTS DEPEND ON CALFRESH BENEFITS. WELL, IF MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS HAPPENING IN THE SACRAMENTO RAILYARDS, MORE CONSTRUCTION ON THE WAY, AND SMUD WILL BE STARTING ITS OWN NEW PROJECT TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND, THE TEAM IS WORKING ON A NEW SUBSTATION, JUST ONE OF HUNDREDS IN THE CITY THAT SMUD USES TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON FOR ITS CUSTOMERS, AND SMUD GAVE KCRA THREE AN EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT HOW THE COMPANY SAYS IT’S TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF THE EVER CHANGING ELECTRICAL NEEDS. HERE. OBVIOUSLY, TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING, POPULATION IS CHANGING. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO KEEP UP? WELL, WE PLAN IN 20 YEAR CYCLES, SO I DON’T WANT TO IMPLY THAT IT’S EASY, BUT WE GET WAY, WAY AHEAD OF IT, SMUD SAYS ITS ONE SUBSTATION COULD SERVE MORE THAN 10,000 CUSTOMERS, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SUBSTATIONS YOU DON’T SEE, LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE ACTUALLY BELOW GROUND. AND COMING UP TONIGHT AT 11, SMUD IS GOING TO TAKE US UNDER THE SACRAMENTO CITY STREETS TO SHOW US HOW THE UNDERGROUND SYSTEM WORKS AND HOW THEY’RE TRYING TO KEEP CUSTOMERS BILLS
SMUD plans new substation in the Railyards to meet Sacramento’s growing energy needs
Updated: 6:24 PM PDT Oct 30, 2025
SMUD is planning to build a new substation in Sacramento’s downtown railyards to keep up with the city’s growing energy needs. The substation, planned for later this year, is one of hundreds that SMUD uses to maintain electricity for its customers. Frankie McDermott, SMUD’s chief operating officer, said the utility plans in 20-year cycles to keep up with anticipated electrical demands. SMUD says one substation can serve more than 10,000 customers, but there are also substations you don’t see, such as ones below ground. Coming up Thursday at 11 p.m., SMUD will take viewers under Sacramento city streets to show how its underground system works and how the utility is trying to keep bills low. Watch on KCRA 3. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
SMUD is planning to build a new substation in Sacramento’s downtown railyards to keep up with the city’s growing energy needs.
The substation, planned for later this year, is one of hundreds that SMUD uses to maintain electricity for its customers.
Frankie McDermott, SMUD’s chief operating officer, said the utility plans in 20-year cycles to keep up with anticipated electrical demands.
SMUD says one substation can serve more than 10,000 customers, but there are also substations you don’t see, such as ones below ground.
Coming up Thursday at 11 p.m., SMUD will take viewers under Sacramento city streets to show how its underground system works and how the utility is trying to keep bills low. Watch on KCRA 3.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel