RG&E Crews Making Progress on Circuit Upgrades at Substation 43 in Rochester
Improvements will strengthen reliability and meet growing energy demand
Enhanced system to serve more than 6,000 residential and commercial customers in the Rochester area
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — July 8, 2026 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) is advancing important circuit upgrades at Substation 43 in Rochester to strengthen the electric system and continue delivering safe, reliable service to 6,467 residential and commercial customers in parts of Irondequoit and Rochester.
These upgrades are part of RG&E’s ongoing commitment to modernizing the grid. By replacing aging equipment and increasing system capacity, the project will enhance reliability and resiliency across the transmission and distribution system, helping reduce the risk of outages and improving response during service interruptions.
“These investments are about strengthening the backbone of our electric system for the communities we serve,” said Devansh Sanghvi, Senior Project Manager of RG&E’s Integrated Projects. “This will contribute to improving reliability today while ensuring we can meet the growing energy needs of the future.”
As part of the first phase of this project, two new transformers were installed to increase capacity and improve reliability for customers served by Station 43. The new transformers are currently operating alongside existing units that have been in service since the 1950s. Once the distribution circuit upgrades are complete, the older transformers will be retired.
The second phase of the project focuses on upgrading six existing distribution circuits from 4.16 kV to a modern 12.47 kV system. Crews are installing new equipment and making targeted upgrades throughout the distribution network to support the higher voltage and improve reliability. The conversion will be completed in phases, with the first circuit scheduled to be transferred to the new substation in late 2026 and additional circuits transitioning through 2028. Each circuit moved to the new substation will reduce the load on the station’s aging equipment, increase system capacity, and improve reliability for customers. Where practical, existing infrastructure is being reused to minimize costs while maintaining long-term system performance.
RG&E remains committed to investing in critical infrastructure to provide safe, reliable service and support the communities it serves. The company continues to focus on strengthening the energy system by replacing aging equipment with modern, more reliable technology—helping improve service, reduce outages, and keep communities powered today and into the future.
Media Contact:
Alexis Arnold