Electric Utility
Baldwin City's Electric Utility is comprised of three major components: generation, distribution, and acquisition.
The Electric Generation component is comprised of two separate power plants. The original plant, Plant No. 1, is located in downtown Baldwin City at 605 High Street. This plant contains six engines and has a nameplate production capacity of six megawatts. The new plant, Plant No. 2, is located at the south edge of town at 1100 Orange Street. This plant was built in 2004 and contains two engines, with room for expansion. The two engines in this plant are very efficient and environmentally friendly. They have a combined production capacity of 6.4 megawatts. The City has enough production capacity to carry the load of the entire town at its peak requirement, if necessary. Three operators maintain and operate all equipment in the two plants, as well as the city's substation located on Newton Street.
The Electric Distribution component combines both overhead and underground electric distribution and line maintenance. Most overhead lines in town have been replaced and/or upgraded since 2002, and the City continues to make improvements and expand service as necessary. The line crew contains three journeyman linemen and one groundman.
The City leverages its production capacity in negotiating contracts for more efficient power with larger utility companies, chiefly Kansas City Power & Light, the Board of Public Utilities, and the Grand River Dam Authority in Oklahoma. The City is a member of the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, and this membership allows for pooling with other cities to negotiate the cost of power and transmission. It is usually much more efficient to purchase power than to produce it from our own plants.
KMEA honors Baldwin City Electric Utility
KMEA - Kansas Municipal Energy Agency will recognize the City of Baldwin City for 100 years of operating an electric utility. Read More...
