PG&E building new Monterey substation to boost power reliability across the peninsula
PG&E is building a brand-new substation in Monterey right off of Del Monte Avenue.What used to be an older site is getting a major upgrade to help reduce power outages and support growth across the peninsula. “We’re looking at electric vehicles and, you know, any new buildings, hotels, etc. that want to come to the area will be able to power those, those buildings moving into the future,” said Jeremy Howard, regional senior manager for PG&E. The new substation is expected to open in 2026 and will serve neighborhoods from Cannery Row to Pacific Grove, adding more capacity and flexibility for PG&E to respond faster when the lights go out.”We’re also going to be able to restore customers faster because now we’ll be able to do switching and be able to serve customers, from either this substation or our other substation here in Monterey,” said Howard. With this week’s storm, residents in Pacific Grove say they’re prepared for outages. “We’ve lost power on most major storms. So we actually have a backup generator now. We have an electric generator. So we’ll be charging that tonight,” said Lauren Sullivan, a Pacific Grove resident.”I rely on lanterns, battery-operated and candles. So I have a bunch of those,” said Theresa Houseman, another Pacific Grove resident.Locals are doing what they can before the storm hits.”We’ve got a lot of, a lot of furniture to put away so it doesn’t end up in the middle of the street,” said Sullivan. “I’ve also asked the manager of my complex, where I live in Pacific Grove, if they could install solar lights along the paths because they have electric-operated now. And they go out if the lights go out and it’s pitch black in our, in our complex,” said Houseman. For PG&E, the biggest concern heading into the storm is high winds that can bring down trees and power lines. The company urges people to stay clear of any hazards. “Let first responders come cordon off the area. Crews will be shortly there behind, and we’ll be able to make it safe and get the power restored for our customers,” said Howard.
PG&E is building a brand-new substation in Monterey right off of Del Monte Avenue.
What used to be an older site is getting a major upgrade to help reduce power outages and support growth across the peninsula.
“We’re looking at electric vehicles and, you know, any new buildings, hotels, etc. that want to come to the area will be able to power those, those buildings moving into the future,” said Jeremy Howard, regional senior manager for PG&E.
The new substation is expected to open in 2026 and will serve neighborhoods from Cannery Row to Pacific Grove, adding more capacity and flexibility for PG&E to respond faster when the lights go out.
“We’re also going to be able to restore customers faster because now we’ll be able to do switching and be able to serve customers, from either this substation or our other substation here in Monterey,” said Howard.
With this week’s storm, residents in Pacific Grove say they’re prepared for outages.
“We’ve lost power on most major storms. So we actually have a backup generator now. We have an electric generator. So we’ll be charging that tonight,” said Lauren Sullivan, a Pacific Grove resident.
“I rely on lanterns, battery-operated and candles. So I have a bunch of those,” said Theresa Houseman, another Pacific Grove resident.
Locals are doing what they can before the storm hits.
“We’ve got a lot of, a lot of furniture to put away so it doesn’t end up in the middle of the street,” said Sullivan.
“I’ve also asked the manager of my complex, where I live in Pacific Grove, if they could install solar lights along the paths because they have electric-operated now. And they go out if the lights go out and it’s pitch black in our, in our complex,” said Houseman.
For PG&E, the biggest concern heading into the storm is high winds that can bring down trees and power lines.
The company urges people to stay clear of any hazards.
“Let first responders come cordon off the area. Crews will be shortly there behind, and we’ll be able to make it safe and get the power restored for our customers,” said Howard.