ST. LOUIS, Feb. 26, 2026 — LS Power Grid California (LSPGC), an affiliate of LS Power and its transmission subsidiary LS Power Grid, has officially begun construction on the Manning Substation in Fresno County, California.
The Manning project is designed to reinforce the Central Valley’s electric grid with the development of a new 500/230-kV substation and approximately 12 miles of 230-kV double-circuit transmission line. The initiative represents an investment of more than $200 million in California’s energy infrastructure and is expected to create roughly 100 construction jobs.
Once operational, Manning will improve grid reliability in the San Joaquin region, while expanding access to lower-cost and more diverse power generation resources. The project is also expected to generate property tax revenues that will support essential local services across Fresno County and surrounding communities.
The substation and transmission line are expected to serve as a critical reliability backbone for the Central Valley, a region experiencing growing electricity demand driven by residential growth, agricultural operations, and industrial expansion. By adding new high-voltage infrastructure, LSPGC aims to relieve transmission congestion and enhance the state’s ability to integrate renewable and conventional generation resources into the grid.
Margaret Bratcher, senior project manager for LS Power, stated:
"Breaking ground on Manning ahead of schedule marks an important milestone that builds on LS Power's strong track record of delivering competitive transmission projects on time and within cost containment commitments. We appreciate the California Public Utilities Commission and the various state and local permitting agencies for their timely and efficient work to complete the environmental review and approval process. Fast tracking transmission projects is essential and maintaining competition in transmission development drives strong schedule accountability. We're proud to move Manning forward ahead of schedule and deliver power infrastructure that strengthens the grid and supports the region's future."
In 2023, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) selected LSPGC to finance, construct, own, operate and maintain the Manning project through a competitive process conducted under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order No. 1000.
LSPGC was chosen from four qualified proposals due to its "demonstrated cost containment capability" that provided overall rate certainty and stability, among other benefits. CAISO identified a policy-driven need for the project during its 2021–2022 transmission planning process, citing grid reliability and renewable integration requirements.
Manning is one of five transmission projects LSPGC currently has in development across California. The company also has one operational asset in the region — the Orchard Substation — located near the Manning site in Fresno County.
LS Power Grid California operates as an electric transmission utility in California, focused on enhancing grid reliability and resiliency while enabling the flow of energy from efficient and diverse generation sources. While affiliated with LS Power, LSPGC itself is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.
LS Power is a development, investment and operating company specializing in North American power and energy infrastructure. Through its transmission platform, LS Power Grid, the company has built more than 780 miles of high-voltage transmission systems, with over 400 additional miles currently in development.
Originally reported by LS Power in PR News Wire.
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