Grand Coulee modernisation programme to enhance grid reliability across eight US states.
Jacobs has been selected by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to provide engineering and advisory services for the Grand Coulee modernisation programme, a critical initiative aimed at enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and longevity of transmission and distribution infrastructure supporting the largest power-generating dam in the USA.
As the backbone of BPA’s power delivery system, Grand Coulee Dam plays a vital role in transmitting more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually to customers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Canada.
As the owner’s consultant, Jacobs will provide project management, scoping, engineering and strategic advisory services to modernise substation infrastructure, optimise transmission pathways, enhance operational efficiency and ensure the continued delivery of high-quality power to BPA’s customers.
Jacobs executive vice president Fiachra Ă“ ClĂ©irigh said: “Through this new agreement, Jacobs will apply its experience in energy and infrastructure to support BPA in delivering resilient, secure and cost-effective power solutions to communities across the Pacific Northwest. This collaboration reinforces Jacobs’ dedication to advancing critical capital projects, modernising utility infrastructure and strategically positioning BPA to meet future load demand with efficiency and reliability.”
BPA spokesperson Kevin Wingert added: “Grand Coulee dam plays a critical role powering our communities given its current capacity of more than 7,000 megawatts. Modernising and making the current switchyards more reliable for the future will preserve current utility infrastructure and allow Grand Coulee to quickly and safely ramp up and down generation depending on grid demand – critical as AI data centres and other power-dense applications come online.”
The Grand Coulee programme builds upon Jacobs’ owner’s consultant projects with BPA, including the Ross Complex redevelopment programme that manages BPA’s power transmission for the Northwestern US and the facilities portfolio delivery programme that includes the refurbishment, maintenance and new construction of BPA facilities across multiple states.
Recently, the Grand Coulee programme was transferred from the Bureau of Reclamation to BPA to expedite efficient facility modernisation at a lower cost. The programme builds on Jacobs’ transmission and distribution key wins in the US, namely programme manager and owner’s engineer for Xcel Energy, supporting major programmes comprising critical transmission, distribution and generation projects in North and Central US.
