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Every time you turn on a light, charge your phone or adjust your thermostat, electricity travels through a network of power lines and equipment to reach your home. An essential part of that network is an electric substation. 

To support electric service in the FM 1101 and Kohlenberg Road area, New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) is investing $19.1 million in the new Kohlenberg Substation & Feeders Project, which will provide additional electric capacity for customers now and into the future. 

Electric substations help transform electricity from the larger power grid for distribution to the homes and businesses that we serve. Electricity travels long distances at high voltages before reaching a substation, where large pieces of equipment called transformers lower the voltage so it can be distributed safely through local power lines and ultimately delivered homes and businesses.  

Construction began June 22, 2026, and the substation is anticipated to be fully operational by spring 2027. The project will support surrounding neighborhoods, including Overlook at Creekside, Sky Ranch and Mayfair, along with nearby industrial facilities such as Aumovio and Walmart Distribution 

How will it work? 

The project includes several improvements that will help bring electricity into the area and deliver it to customers. 

Two power transformers: These lower the voltage of incoming electricity so it can travel safely and efficiently through local power lines. The units also back each other up, if a single unit must be taken out of service. 

Six distribution feeders: These are the main power lines that carry electricity from the substation toward neighborhoods and businesses. Think of them as main roads that connect to smaller streets leading to individual homes. 

A 2.9-mile transmission line extension: This new section of power line will connect the substation to the larger electric grid, bringing electricity into the facility before it is distributed to customers. 

Looped Redundancy: An additional transmission connection in a future phase to provide another route for electricity to reach the substation. Similar to having an alternate road available when your usual route is closed, a second connection gives electricity another path to reach the substation if one line is unavailable. Having more than one connection can help NBU maintain service during emergencies and provide greater flexibility when crews need to perform maintenance or repairs. 

The Kohlenberg Substation & Feeders Project is part of NBU’s Capital Improvement Project Plan, which includes projects to maintain, replace, and expand the infrastructure that provides electric, water, and wastewater services throughout the community. 

As growth continues along the FM 1101 and Kohlenberg Road corridors, this investment will help ensure the electric system has the capacity to serve the homes and businesses that depend on it every day. Learn more about our Capital Improvement projects by visiting: https://www.nbutexas.com/about/capital-projects/capital-improvement-projects-plan/.