SHINGLETOWN, Calif. - The microgrid in Shingletown is finally complete. The microgrid is located right next to Reed’s Market, along Highway 44.
In the event of a public safety power shutoff, PG&E will bring up a mobile generator, which will then connect into the microgrid. The microgrid will be able to power at least 80 businesses and homes in the area.
The power lines run underground, which can safely keep the electricity going during a PSPS. The microgrid extends from Shingle Glen Trail and Alpine Meadows Road.
“People who needed things like gas and groceries may have had to drive to Redding to get them,” said Paul Moreno, a spokesperson with PG&E.
“Now we provide power to the core businesses safely so that the entire community can utilize these services offered.”
“These stores had to shut down their boxes, they lose their ice cream and their perishables,” said Don Bickle of Shingletown.
“Not just the stores but a lot of people up here don’t have generators out here to keep their homes moving in times of outages.”
PG&E says other micro-grid projects are also in the works in Shasta, Butte, and Tehama counties to name a few.
The microgrid was officially completed back in August. Construction for the microgrid project in Shingletown started back in spring.