The Imperial Irrigation District’s (IID) Cook Street Substation project continues to move forward as the Palm Desert City Council has unanimously approved a cost-share agreement, reaching an important milestone that paves the way for growth and development in the region, the California public power utility reported.
"The approval reflects growing momentum across the Coachella Valley, which, through cooperative efforts, advances infrastructure projects that support reliable power service and long-term growth," the utility said.
The project is a collaborative effort among IID, the County of Riverside, the cities of Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, the Berger Foundation, and additional private partners and is a direct result of IID taking proactive, positive steps to engage with committed Coachella Valley stakeholders.
“We appreciate the Palm Desert City Council’s unanimous approval and the collaborative approach taken by our regional partners,” said IID Board Chairwoman Karin Eugenio in expressing appreciation for the partnership and leadership throughout the process. “Projects like this help us plan ahead and ensure the Coachella Valley has the reliable energy it needs as our communities continue to grow.”
The project will be located just west of Cook Street in Thousand Palms, Calif., just north of Interstate 10. Once completed, the estimated $39.6 million substation is expected to strengthen the local electric system, serving approximately 8,000 residential and commercial customers.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with an estimated completion date of 2028.
Following the growth pays for growth model, the municipalities and developers are funding the project by way of a unique cost-share agreement. Each entity’s share will be proportionate to its capacity requirements.
The Berger Foundation’s participation includes dedicating the land for the substation, a key element in advancing the project. This new infrastructure not only facilitates growth and development, it will provide benefit to the overall electrical system. IID will own, operate, and maintain the substation.
IID will continue to work closely with its public and private partners to finalize agreements and advance the Cook Street Substation into its next phases.
