Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) officials hope that the recent energizing of a new high-voltage substation in Boardman, Oregon, will help usher in $5 billion in transmission infrastructure projects. 

The federal agency was joined by local utility and community officials and other leaders on April 15 as the new substation, dubbed Longhorn, began the first phase of its operation, according to a release. The substation will serve local electrical needs while also enabling 2,500 megawatts of new generator interconnections across the grid. 

Officials said Longhorn is a precursor to BPA’s grid expansion plans, which includes proposals for 23 different projects in Washington, Oregon and northern California that will cost billions to construct and bring online.  

“This new substation illustrates how Bonneville is leading a new era for energy infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest,” said BPA administrator and CEO John Hairston in a statement. “Completing this multipurpose facility prepares BPA to enhance the safe, reliable delivery of more abundant, low-cost electricity to our customers, communities, businesses and industries across the region.”