Independence Wind Substation

Location:  Manchester, Iowa

Areas of Expertise: Substation, Custom Metals Fabrication

Hooper’s Electric Power Division completed a new substation in Manchester, Iowa. The Independence Wind Substation is part of a renewable energy wind farm for Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO). CIPCO generates and transmits power to 13 member-owned rural associations serving 58 counties throughout the state.

Hooper’s substation crew provided general contractor and construction expertise on the 161kV interconnect switching station. Hooper worked closely with both the owner and the wind farm developer to keep the lines of communication open, identify areas of concern, and preserve the project timeline. Substation construction included the concrete foundations, fencing, raceway, and grounding systems, three circuit breakers, 11 switches, two transmission line positions, a rigid bus connection to the wind farm collector substation, and the final stone surfacing.

The Independence Wind project began in mid-April and was completed in less than four months. This construction window was very aggressive. One initial challenge involved the early arrival of the control house. The substation team decided to utilize fast-curing, high-strength concrete to expedite the construction of the foundation and placement of the equipment to stay on schedule.

Substation construction often requires the need for modifications to the galvanized steel structures to allow for the necessary attachment between the steel and the equipment being mounted to it. With the exceptionally long lead times from the original steel structure vendor during the pandemic, the modifications to the structures required on this project would have resulted in staggering delays. On two separate occasions, Hooper avoided lengthy delays by working with our in-house Fabrication Facility to produce what was needed.

The Independence Wind Substation collects electricity from 19 turbines on 292-foot high towers.

Hooper is proud to be part of constructing and delivering safe, renewable, and environmentally-friendly energy alternatives for our country.