1GW, 345kV substation with five main power transformers
200MW, 138kV substation with expansion
May 2022 - ongoing
Engineer, procure, construct (EPC)
Lancium and Crusoe Energy Systems LLC (“Crusoe”) are partnering to develop a large-scale AI data center complex in Abilene, Texas with Mortenson as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the electrical infrastructure supporting the data center campus.
This development began for Mortenson in May 2022 when our team built the Abilene 200MW, 138kV substation with a 300’ slack span that connected to the Abilene NW transmission line. Mortenson also built said transmission line for AEP along with the interconnect expansions for AEP for the connection of the project substation.
The Abilene Expansion project expanded the Abilene 200MW station in Q3-Q4 of 2024, which involved the relocation of the MPT and equipment from an existing substation to add a third bay in Abilene to support the data center build-out.
During that project, the team planned for and helped coordinate multiple “check-out” energizations with the data center as pieces of equipment were commissioned. This involved the development of multiple methods of procedure and clear communication as the substation transitioned from de-energized to energized throughout the project.
Phase 2 of the development is currently in the design phase stage. The scope of the phase includes a 1GW, 345kV substation with five main power transformers. This greenfield substation will be located a few hundred meters to the east of the previous substation and has conceptual design to include battery energy storage in the future.
Driving a lean schedule requires quick response times and accelerated build-outs. This concept was true for this project and challenged a “typical” build timeline.
Phase 2 mobilizes in Q2 2025 and includes creative ways to energize quickly.
