Redmond study finds near‑term grid capacity adequate, flags three substations for longer‑term planning

Redmond City Council heard a presentation June 23 on a joint Redmond–Bellevue electrical grid capacity study that found the city’s local distribution system is generally sufficient for the next 10 years but may need planned upgrades in later decades.

“We explored the capacity of our local electric distribution system,” sustainability manager Jenny Liebeck told the council, describing the study as an independent, planning‑level assessment that translated Redmond 2050 growth and electrification goals into substation‑level load forecasts. The consultant team said the city‑based forecast translates roughly to a 70% increase in electricity demand by 2050, driven primarily by building electrification and growing EV adoption.

Kenton Phillips, an AECOM senior associate who led the technical work, said the analysis focused at the substation level (not feeder or generation) and assumed PSE’s planned upgrades occur on schedule. The team identified four planned PSE upgrades (Hollywood, Rose Hill, Totem Lake and Union Hill) and said three substations—Avondale, Redmond and Spirit Brook—are most likely to experience constrained capacity in outer years as growth concentrates in downtown, Bear Creek, Marymoor Village and Overlake.

Consultants emphasized the study’s limitations. As Liebeck noted, the analysis used publicly available data and city planning assumptions and was not intended to replace Puget Sound Energy’s operational planning. The team also excluded speculative, high‑intensity loads such as potential new data centers from its baseline because those require large, uncertain assumptions.

The report included sensitivity testing that showed population growth as the main demand driver through 2035. Consultants also reported that equipment failures accounted for about 40% of Redmond outages from 2020–2024, a point council members asked staff to investigate further.

Council members pressed staff on next steps and local impacts. Council President Stewart asked what a pilot project tied to a PSE upgrade would test; Liebeck said the pilot would focus on improving interagency communications and documenting lessons learned so future infrastructure projects proceed more efficiently. Council member Sony asked whether the study considered funding and utility rates; staff said rate impacts were outside the study scope and they would follow up with PSE and the state utilities commission for details.

Staff told the council they will continue workshops with PSE and Bellevue, pursue a pilot tied to an upcoming PSE project to test coordination and workflows, and provide follow‑up information on rates, reliability causes and other specific requests raised by council members. The full report and appendices were provided in the council packet.