Concord Light Planning for Increased Need

David Wood of the Concord Light Plant and Hugh Lauer of the Concord Municipal Light Board met with selectmen Monday night for an update on a variety of power-related items, including a Town Meeting warrant article that would allow the town to accommodate impending growth.

The article will request an increase of about 2/10 of a cent per kilowatt hour on local electricity rates to fund the expansion of a substation that is nearing its capacity load. Wood said the funds from a stabilization account established when the town entered into its current power supply contract would be applied to 2012 electricity rates to prevent an increase on customers' bills. Additionally, Wood said the town will enter into a new contract in 2013 and he anticipates a rate decrease at that time.    

Currently, the two transformers that make up the substation on Forest Ridge Road can handle a load capacity of 50 megavolt amps. Wood said this past summer, the load peaked at 47.5 mva. Thanks to the conservation efforts of Concord Light customers, capacity was not exceeded, despite peak projections over 50 mva.

With an increase in developments, such as , Wood said projections will only continue to increase. With the proper funding, the substation would be modified to accommodate a 70 mva load, which Wood said would suit the town's needs for approximately 25 years.

If all goes according to plan, Wood said the upgrade to the transformers at the substation would take place next fall, or the following spring.