Groundwork has started at Pella Cooperative Electric's new Howell Substation, which is located on Highway 163, just south of Pella Christian High School. The existing Howell Substation was originally constructed in 1981. PCEA decided to purchase land for a new location so the substation can be expanded and serve load growth. PCEA hopes to have the new substation completed in spring 2021. Work is expected to begin on another new substation, Thunder Creek located north of Pella, in 2021.

What is a substation? 

A substation is a facility that serves as a point where electric voltage "steps down" or lowers from a high voltage transmission line to a lower voltage distribution line, where it is then distributed to members' homes and businesses. These areas are fenced in and equipped with transformers, bus, circuit breakers, switches and other pieces of equipment. Substations are highly dangerous and only co-op employees should ever be in a substation. The co-op has nine substations located throughout the service territory.