Modernization of Substation in Manchester to Benefit 23,000 RG&E Customers
$60M investment in substation serving customers in Manchester and Farmington now complete
Two newly installed transformers will increase capacity and reliability
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — October 23, 2025 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) has completed upgrades at Substation 168, which serves more than 23,000 customers in the Village of Manchester and the Town of Farmington. The project was needed to improve reliability and provide a system alternative to the service area during summer and winter peak operating conditions.
The modernization of the substation included installing two new transformers to replace outdated equipment. A new control house was built with the latest technology. These upgrades ensure the infrastructure can meet the growing demand for additional power in the region.
“These are the types of investments that are crucial to serving our customers and providing reliable electric service,” said RG&E Project Manager Kate Moss. “Communities are consuming more energy than ever before, and these upgrades allow us to provide the power they need.”
“On behalf of the Farmington Town Board, our Town’s residents, businesses and industries, and the developers who have long been awaiting the energy capacity and reliability being provided by RG&E’s investments at Substation 168, we extend our thanks and appreciation,” said Town of Farmington Supervisor Peter V. Ingalsbe.
Upgrading the two transformers ensures the substation can handle energy loads while providing support under normal and peak conditions. The improvements will help manage the circuits between substations in the event of outages. Sectionalization uses automated technology to isolate sections of the grid, reducing outages from hours to a momentary flicker.
Work on the $60M project began in 2021. The rebuild increases capacity, improves asset conditions, and enhances the reliability of the substation for customers. The modernization efforts will improve the overall resiliency of the grid while upgrading the technological components and improving the aesthetics of the facility.
This project is an example of prior investment that improves service for customers. RG&E and NYSEG’s Powering New York Plan will continue investing, part of the Companies’ commitment to upgrade aging infrastructure and ensure customers have safe and reliable power.
Media Contact:
Alexis Arnold