Gallatin Department of Electricity (GDE) is a planner for infrastructure, from replacing line conductors to upgrading our Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. We are looking to the future on how to provide electricity safely and reliably to the citizens of Gallatin. July of 2025 brought about the groundbreaking of a new substation on the north side of Gallatin in the Albert Gallatin Avenue & 109 North area. This substation has been in the works now for over 5 years. Through land procurement and working with TVA on a scope of work for the building of transmission lines, it has been a journey. In addition to the complete construction of a new substation, GDE will also be upgrading and renovating our Nichols Lane substation on the south side of town.
When an electric utility thinks about investing in the needs of the community it is more than just a collection of poles, wires, and substations. It’s the backbone of reliable service and redundancy over the system as a whole. Thoughtful investment in infrastructure lays the groundwork for resilient and efficient operations and helps to promote thriving communities. Gallatin is a thriving community and long-term plans for the electric grid need to be in place to be able to serve the needs of Gallatin.
Upgrading and expanding the grid improves reliability, reduces outages, shortens outage time and prepares the electric system to handle evolving needs. Many utilities in the TN Valley can attest to the growing need to upgrade and expand infrastructure. Good planning means looking beyond immediate fixes. It requires aligning capital projects with long-term growth forecasts, environmental goals, and regulatory expectations. Whether modernizing aging lines, adding capacity to the system, or implementing advanced metering, utilities that invest with foresight strengthen their own performance and the prosperity of the communities they power.
We are very conscious about planning the electric system and what is needed by GDE and the community. GDE’s 10-year Capital Plan is reviewed and updated at least once a year and sometimes several times within a year. Growth is a driver for purposeful planning, and we are a growing community. Substations, line reconductors, new line buildouts, needed land for operations, and facilities expansion are all part of the Capital Plan. GDE is also very aware of how all this work impacts rates. Borrowing money for projects is considered to help keep rates low and spread costs over a longer period of time. Cash on hand is used for some projects. It is all a balancing act.
These two substation projects are needed for our growing community and will aid GDE in delivering safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for the future. There are more substations within the 10-year Capital Plan, but the two mentioned above are of foremost importance to Gallatin and GDE in the immediate future. By planning GDE’s future, we are doing our best to plan for Gallatin’s future.
“GDE exists to make life better for our customer through safe, reliable and affordable electricity!” That is our mission!