ALLENTOWN - PPL Electric Utilities is working on 10 new electric distribution substations in the next two years to improve reliability for thousands of customers in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Building 10 substations in only two years is one example of the company’s increasing investment in its energy delivery infrastructure to improve reliability, strengthen aging infrastructure and better meet customer needs, said David G. DeCampli, president of PPL Electric Utilities.

This year, PPL Electric Utilities expects to complete construction of electric substations in the Beltzville area of Towamensing, Carbon County; in Lower Macungie in Lehigh County, known as the new Schoeneck substation; and in the Valley View Business Park in Jessup, near Scranton.

These facilities were planned to meet increasing demand for electricity in those areas, accommodate local growth and improve the utility’s operations.

PPL has work under way on eight new substation facilities for service in 2011. The largest of the projects is a $9 million project in Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County, which also includes a 5.6-mile transmission feeder to supply power to the facility and two new distribution circuits to serve local customers. The new project will relieve electric load on existing facilities and ensure more reliable service for the area. This project, known as the Effort Mountain substation, is pending review by the state Public Utility Commission.

Additionally in 2011, PPL expects to build new electric substations in:

• Hawley section of Palmyra Township, Wayne County.
• Jackson Township, Monroe County (known as the Appenzell project).
• Lansford, Carbon County.
• South Mechanicsburg in Cumberland County.
• Moore Township, Northampton County (known as the Blue Mountain substation).
• Lower Windsor Township, York County (known as the Red Front substation).