Columbia’s electric system has adequate capacity to serve even the fastest developing areas for the next 10 years, according to citywide data cited in a report issued by Columbia Water & Light.
That assessment comes despite concern in recent years about capacity at the Perche Creek substation in southwest Columbia, and the report has drawn criticism from a former utility administrator.
Forecasts from the mid-2000s predicted energy use in Columbia would keep growing, Water & Light Assistant Director Ryan Williams said. In reality, though, electric use remained fairly stagnant, he said, mainly because of increased energy efficiency.
The report comes as the city’s Integrated Electric Resource and Master Planning Task Force is working with consultants to gather substation-specific data to find solutions to future capacity issues before they become a problem.
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