Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has begun work on a major power system upgrade in Watsonville, Freedom and nearby communities that the utility says will improve reliability, reduce outages and help meet growing electricity demand.
The project will upgrade the local electric system from 4 kilovolts to 21 kilovolts, allowing power lines to carry more electricity and better withstand extreme weather events such as heat waves and winter storms, according to PG&E.
The work is expected to nearly double capacity at the Green Valley Substation and support future building and transportation electrification. PG&E said thousands of customers in Watsonville, Interlaken, Amesti, Freedom and Corralitos will benefit from the upgrades.
“It’s like taking a two-lane freeway and expanding it to six lanes,” PG&E Regional Senior Manager Jeremy Howard said in a statement. “The upgrade lets us carry more electricity at once, reduces congestion and improves reliability as the community grows.”
The first phase began in May and is expected to continue through early 2027.
That phase includes replacing 159 poles, upgrading 93 transformers, installing or upgrading more than 30,000 feet of higher-capacity overhead lines, installing 1,700 feet of new underground lines and upgrading another 800 feet of underground lines. PG&E also plans to upgrade nearly 70 protective devices on power poles that help detect problems, isolate outages and restore power faster.
Work will take place along Green Valley Road between Mesa Verde Drive and Freedom Boulevard, throughout the College Lake area, along Highway 152 between Holohan Road and Carlton Road and on several adjacent streets.
PG&E said some customers may experience more than one planned power outage during the project. “No Parking” signs will be posted on affected streets at least 24 hours before work begins.
Residents and businesses should prepare for minor traffic delays when crews are working nearby. Most work will take place Monday through Friday during business hours.
