Redding, CaliforniaCSLB 390480 · A · B · C-10info@calelectroinc.com
Cal Electro, Inc.

Energized construction to 500kV, for federal power administrations and municipal utilities.

Substation construction to 500kV, inside energized yards

Capability

Cal Electro builds and rebuilds substations and switchyards for federal power administrations, municipal utilities and universities, including construction within energized substations at 500kV. The record runs from a 35kV substation repair for the US Navy at China Lake to shunt cap breaker and ground switch replacement in the 500kV bays at Tracy for Western Area Power Administration.

Recent scope has covered 500kV power circuit breakers, motor operated disconnecting switches and ground switches, 230kV and 115kV government-furnished station service transformers and SSVTs, precast cable trench, pre-manufactured control buildings, protective relay systems, SCADA circuits and station service switchgear. Much of the major equipment is owner supplied, so the schedule is set by outage windows and delivery dates.

Foundations, trenching, conduit and control wiring are our own crews. On a substation job that means the civil work and the electrical work hold one schedule.

Energized work
Crews work adjacent to and inside energized yards to 500kV, under the owner’s clearance and switching procedures.
Outage coordination
Breaker and bank replacements are sequenced against the owner’s outage windows, with tested fallback positions.
Government-furnished equipment
Receiving, storing, setting and terminating owner-supplied breakers, transformers and switchgear.
Why we self-perform
33Projects published in full
$4,332,659.98Largest published contract

The record

Every substation construction contract published in full, newest first.

Open a title for the write-up, the photographs and the contract detail.

Substation Construction: 33 contracts, newest first, with owner, year and published contract amount.
ProjectOwnerYearContract
WAPA2025$874,185
Several grey metal-clad electrical cabinets standing on a new concrete pad in a substation yard under a cloudy sky
Several grey metal-clad electrical cabinets standing on a new concrete pad in a substation yard under a cloudy skyAn excavator digging a narrow trench beside a concrete station road, with a worker in high-visibility clothing alongsideA long timber-formed foundation trench filled with a tied reinforcing steel cage, seen from aboveRows of electrical conduit stub-ups rising through timber formwork and reinforcing steel before concrete is placedA telehandler carrying a white metal-clad switchgear cabinet on a pallet outside a steel buildingA crane hook and rigging lifting a galvanised steel structure against a clear blue sky, with substation equipment belowThe interior of a stainless steel control cabinet with neatly formed and terminated blue control cables

Cal Electro demolished the existing Unit Substation DZA, pad-mount transformer and standby generator, then installed a 230kV bay with a motor-operated disconnect switch, SSVTs and associated material. The work also covered a pad-mount transformer, an automatic transfer switch, three safety switches, 35kV power cable, a main distribution switchboard, and the steel structures and foundations that carry them.

  • 230kV
  • 35kV
  • Energized

Cal Electro delivered Olinda Substation, Station Service Upgrades for WAPA in Shasta County, California in 2025, a $874,185 contract.

WAPA2025 · ongoing$2,237,150
Substation bay under construction with a crane, a boom lift and crews working beneath large 500kV bus insulators
Substation bay under construction with a crane, a boom lift and crews working beneath large 500kV bus insulatorsThree cylindrical capacitor units mounted on galvanised steel stands in a substation yard, with lattice towers behind

Cal Electro is removing and replacing the 500kV power circuit breakers, motor-operated disconnecting switches and motor-operated ground switches in Bay T8, and installing the associated conduit, outdoor bus and control cables.

  • 500kV
  • Electrical
  • Civil
  • Energized
  • Outage coordination

Cal Electro is delivering Tracy 500kV Substation, Bay T8 Breaker & Switch Replacement for WAPA in California, 2025, a $2,237,150 contract.

WAPA2024$2,319,355
An elevated view along a row of substation equipment with crews and materials laid out along the bay
An elevated view along a row of substation equipment with crews and materials laid out along the bayA large electrical unit on a covered semi-trailer being delivered to a substation siteA long cylindrical shunt reactor with fins lying on gravel, waiting to be lifted into placeA crane boom and rigging lifting a long insulator string in a high-voltage substation yardA cylindrical reactor unit slung in red rigging straps and lowered onto a galvanised steel standThree large capacitor units mounted side by side on steel stands in a substation yard

Cal Electro removed and replaced the 500kV power circuit breakers, motor-operated disconnecting switches and motor-operated ground switches in Bay T10. The contract also covered a surface trench with its associated electrical equipment and site development.

  • 500kV
  • Electrical
  • Civil
  • Energized
  • Outage coordination

Cal Electro delivered Tracy 500kV Substation, Bay T10 Breaker & Switch Replacement for WAPA in California in 2024, a $2,319,355 contract.

USACE2021$2,274,359
A crane lowering a large precast concrete vault on four slings into an open excavation while a crew guides it
A crane lowering a large precast concrete vault on four slings into an open excavation while a crew guides itTwo workers standing in a stepped excavation beside a large industrial buildingA precast concrete vault set in an excavation with a worker connecting conduit at one endA flatbed truck carrying electrical equipment parked beside a building, with a crane working in the backgroundA finished electrical substation with metal-clad equipment standing behind a chain link security fence

Cal Electro replaced the Building 606 transformer and switchgear together with the overhead transmission lines and security fencing, alongside minor site improvements and the related integration work.

  • Secure site

Cal Electro delivered Building 606 Electrical Substation Upgrade, MOTCO for USACE in Concord, California in 2021, a $2,274,359 contract.

WAPA2021$2,184,032
A concrete truck discharging down a chute while a crew places and screeds concrete at a substation
A concrete truck discharging down a chute while a crew places and screeds concrete at a substationA telehandler carrying a station service transformer past crew members inside a substation yardWorkers guiding a station service transformer into position on a pad at the base of a steep hillsideA boom truck and a lift working beneath the steel lattice structures of a high-voltage switchyardAn excavator working along a paved road that runs through a substation, with steel structures on both sidesTwo workers placing reinforcing steel inside timber formwork for a new equipment foundation

Cal Electro installed the government-furnished 230kV SSVTs and the 115kV station service transformer, with the automatic transfer switch, safety switches, main distribution panel and the balance of the station service equipment: yard panels, dry-tape, pad-mounted transformers, insulated conductors and conduit. Cal Electro provided the concrete foundations and galvanized steel structures, installed precast cable trench, and removed the old cable and equipment after station service cut-over.

  • 230kV
  • 115kV
  • Electrical
  • Energized
  • Government-furnished equipment
  • Outage coordination

Cal Electro delivered Keswick & Maxwell Substations, Station Service Upgrades for WAPA in Redding, California in 2021, a $2,184,032 contract.

NNSS2021$4,332,659.98
Galvanised steel structures and equipment in a desert substation with mountains on the horizon
Galvanised steel structures and equipment in a desert substation with mountains on the horizonA worker in a lift bolting up galvanised steel structures at a substation under constructionA crane and a line truck working among new galvanised steel structures at a desert substationA line truck and a telehandler positioned beside tall steel structures in an open desert substationSteel substation structures carrying insulators and switches, with a low equipment building alongsideA completed desert substation with steel structures, switches and equipment cabinets behind a fenceA finished substation seen through its perimeter fence, with equipment enclosures and gravel surfacingAn open control cabinet door carrying rows of terminal blocks with neatly dressed, labelled white wiringA row of small breakers with labelled grey control cables looping into them and red and black battery leads belowAn equipment rack with relays, terminal strips and fiber patch cords, an office chair beside it

Cal Electro modernized two substations at the Nevada National Security Site, building one new redundant substation identical to the existing one and making critical upgrades to a second. Cal Electro provided all technical and professional services for the work, including labor, testing, material and equipment.

  • Secure site

Cal Electro delivered Nevada National Security Site DAF & Frenchman Flats Substations for NNSS in 2021, a $4,332,659.98 contract.

DWR2020$1,725,207.54
Cable running over a pulling sheave down into a concrete pull box set in gravel, with dry hills in the distance
Cable running over a pulling sheave down into a concrete pull box set in gravel, with dry hills in the distanceA worker in a hard hat and vest drilling at the base of new switchgear while a second worker holds a vacuum hose to the holeThree blue protective relays mounted in a row on a grey switchgear door, each with an engraved label aboveRows of red and green indicator lights above black control switch handles on a switchgear panelA switchgear nameplate reading DWR Substation U1A, with the manufacturer rating plate above itA weathered outdoor switchgear enclosure and transformer standing in a walled yard, with a high-voltage warning sign

Cal Electro removed and replaced the unit substation and main switchgear in the maintenance yard, with a 4160V incoming line and 480V main switchgear. Temporary generators were used during the switchover.

Cal Electro delivered DWR Unit Substation Replacement, San Luis Operation and Maintenance Center in Merced County, California in 2020, a $1,725,207.54 contract.

CSU San Jose2019
  • 12kV

Cal Electro delivered 4160V to 12kV Conversion, CSU San Jose in California in 2019.

CSU San Jose2017

Cal Electro delivered Electrical Substation Reliability Improvements, CSU San Jose in California in 2017.

WAPA2017$3,546,209.22
A row of tall grey metal-clad switchgear cubicles standing on a concrete pad ready to be installed
A row of tall grey metal-clad switchgear cubicles standing on a concrete pad ready to be installedTwo workers at an open electrical cabinet, one in a full silver arc flash suit and hood, the other in high-visibility clothingA crane lifting a metal-clad switchgear cubicle on yellow slings above a substationSeveral workers guiding a large grey switchgear cabinet along rollers onto its foundationA large transformer with a bank of cooling radiators standing beside a site buildingNew electrical enclosures on a concrete pad with the spillway gates of a large dam rising behindA worker in a full arc flash suit using an insulated tool at a wall-mounted electrical enclosureRows of large red insulated cables terminated in an open switchgear enclosure

Cal Electro removed and replaced the station service switchgear and UHA, with the protective relay systems, instrumentation transformers and metering, the 5kV cables, structural metalwork, and the concrete foundations and slab for the fabricated control building. Cal Electro delivered a turn-key interface with the existing switchyard and with the power plant alarm, protection, control and SCADA circuits, plus a communications interface with the plant's Central Valley Automated Control System. The contract also covered a document management system, drawings and data, as-builts, new cable tray below the existing UHA switchgear, spare parts and training.

  • 5kV
  • Electrical
  • Energized
  • Outage coordination
  • Government-furnished equipment

Cal Electro delivered Folsom UHA Switchgear Replacement, WAPA Switchyard in California in 2017, a $3,546,209.22 contract.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo2016$458,000
Square timber column forms with reinforcing steel projecting, set on new concrete pads at a substation site
Square timber column forms with reinforcing steel projecting, set on new concrete pads at a substation siteElectrical equipment slung on red rigging beneath a crane hook, being lowered between steel structuresA large rectangular concrete foundation with timber edge forms in a fenced substation compoundA large power transformer on a low trailer being manoeuvred along a narrow tree-lined access roadA yellow mobile crane lifting a large transformer clear of its trailer between trees and a buildingA completed substation bank with a transformer, steel structures and bushings behind a wall

Cal Electro replaced the existing 70kV–12.47kV, 10MVA transformer at Mustang Substation with a 15MVA transformer, together with the associated transmission equipment, on the Cal Poly campus.

  • 70kV
  • 12.47kV

Cal Electro delivered Mustang Substation Bank 1 Replacement, California Polytechnic State University for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2016, a $458,000 contract.

City of Gridley2014

Cal Electro delivered Substation Infrastructure Project, City of Gridley in California in 2014.

2013

Cal Electro delivered Arden Del Paso Substation in 2013.

BART2013

Cal Electro delivered BART Substation Transformer Replacement in 2013.

2013

Cal Electro delivered Canby Substation in California in 2013.

2013

Cal Electro delivered COR Moore Substation in 2013.

2013

Cal Electro delivered Orchard Substation, Ukiah in California in 2013.

2013

Cal Electro delivered SAC 2E/2F Substation in 2013.

WAPA2013$1,447,256.27
A lift working beneath the steel bus structures of a switchyard, with the face of a large concrete dam behind
A lift working beneath the steel bus structures of a switchyard, with the face of a large concrete dam behindA long view down a high-voltage switchyard between rows of steel lattice structures and insulator stringsA worker in an elevated lift basket reaching up to high-voltage bus conductors and insulators against a blue skySteel lattice substation structures carrying switches and insulators, seen from below against a clear skyAn elevated view across a large switchyard showing rows of structures, bus work and equipmentA worker high on a steel lattice structure fitting a conductor jumper, with a river valley far belowA wrapped electrical bushing suspended on a line inside the steelwork of a switchyardA wide view of a high-voltage switchyard with a river and wooded hills in the backgroundA substation bay seen past insulator stacks and steel structures, with a crane boom standing behindA boom-lift basket raised to a bus conductor between steel lattice structures against a clear skyDisconnect switches mounted along a steel substation structure with insulator strings hanging belowClose view of a bolted switch connection above a large aluminium corona ringA switchyard on a hillside seen from an access road, with rows of steel structures against the sky

Cal Electro removed and disposed of the existing switches, conductors, wave traps and insulator assemblies, then installed the government-furnished 230kV disconnect switches, motor group-operated and selector/tandem type motor group-operated, with ACCR Drake conductor, high-temperature fittings and insulator assemblies. Cal Electro supplied the associated jumpers, hardware and conduit.

  • 230kV
  • Energized

Cal Electro delivered Shasta Switchyard, Flanagan and Keswick Substations Upgrades for WAPA in Shasta County, California in 2013, a $1,447,256.27 contract.

BART2012

Cal Electro delivered Bart Substation South San Francisco in California in 2012.

2012

Cal Electro delivered COR Substation in 2012.

2012

Cal Electro delivered East Redding Substation in California in 2012.

City of Ukiah2011$2,980,000
Workers guiding a large power transformer down onto a concrete pad between two cranes
Workers guiding a large power transformer down onto a concrete pad between two cranesA crane setting galvanised steel structures at a muddy substation site with hills behindA finished concrete equipment foundation with a wheeled loader working on backfill alongsideTwo mobile cranes lifting a large power transformer clear of a low trailerGrey electrical conduit running along a formed trench with vertical stub-ups at intervalsA worker standing in an open trench containing large conduits, with formwork along both edgesA crew placing and vibrating concrete over a run of conduits in an open trench

Cal Electro built a new 115kV substation: foundations, 40MVA 115/12kV transformers, 115kV SF6 breakers and switches, 27,000 feet of 12kV 1100 KCM cable, and a 30-by-90-foot pre-manufactured control building. All major electrical equipment was owner supplied.

  • 115kV
  • 12kV

Cal Electro delivered Orchard Substation, Ukiah for City of Ukiah in California in 2011, a $2,980,000 contract.

Bechtel Nevada2004
  • Secure site

Cal Electro delivered Bechtel Nevada Corporation, Nevada Test Site - Modernization of 128kv Substations in 2004.

City of Redding2002

Cal Electro delivered City of Redding Switchyard Expansion in California in 2002.

Bechtel Nevada2001
  • Secure site

Cal Electro delivered Bechtel Nevada Corporation, Nevada Test Site - Modernization of 128kv Substations in 2001.

Wheelabrator2000

Cal Electro delivered Wheelabrator Redding, CA Upgrade Substation in California in 2000.

City of Redding1999
  • 115kV
  • 12kV

Cal Electro delivered City of Redding East Substation Installation of 115/12kv Transformer bank Number in California in 1999.

City of Shasta Lake1998

Cal Electro delivered City of Shasta Lake, CA Knauf Substation in California in 1998.

City of Shasta Lake1997

Cal Electro delivered City of Shasta Lake, CA Corporate Yard Substation in California in 1997.

City of Redding1996

Cal Electro delivered City of Redding Texas Springs Substation in California in 1996.

1995

Cal Electro delivered Airport Transformer Bank Number 1 in 1995.

US Navy1991
  • 35kV
  • Secure site

Cal Electro delivered US Navy China Lake Weapons Center, Repair 35kV Substation in California in 1991.

Bids

Bidding substation construction work? Send the solicitation and the bid date.

Invite us to bid

Plans and addenda go to info@calelectroinc.com, or call (530) 223-5937.

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