Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: sparkyguy545, Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Asked on: Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 4:27 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6:08 am EDT
Question: Doing a preliminary cost analysis for a Municipal Water client who needs to have utility extend 3-phase MV primary (12.47kV) approx 1/2 mile as part of a new designproject. The serving POCO won't even give wild-approximations for what this might cost. Our new load is nothing huge (well less than 100HP) so current & conductor sizes would almost be negligible @ 12.47kV. Construction site is rural Illinois, so it is very flat with no tree or obstruction issues. I've heard ball-park figures anywhere from $75k to $500k. Our construction cost-estimating books don't get into this kind of stuff unless I want to break out a specific number of poles, crossarms, conductor type & gauge, etc., etc.I'm just looking for a way to get a reasonable allowance into the budget.Any reasonable approximations out there???
Factors Affecting Cost
Distance: 1/2 mile (0.8 kilometers) Voltage: 12.47 kV primary Load size: Less than 100 HP (negligible current) Terrain: Rural Illinois, flat and unobstructed
Cost Components
Materials: Poles, crossarms, conductors, hardware, insulators Labor: Installation, trenching, stringing Engineering fees Permits and inspections
Cost Range
Based on industry averages and similar projects, a reasonable allowance for the utility extension could range from
$125,000 to $250,000.Breakdown of Costs
Materials: $50,000 - $100,000 Labor: $50,000 - $100,000 Engineering fees: $10,000 - $20,000 Permits and inspections: $5,000 - $10,000
Factors that could increase cost
Difficult terrain or environmental constraints Undergrounding or overhead cabling Use of specialized equipment or materials Delays or unexpected conditions
Factors that could reduce cost
Bulk purchasing and discounts Use of existing infrastructure Favorable contractor bids Government subsidies or incentives
Recommendation:
To obtain a more accurate cost estimate, it is recommended to consult with a licensed electrical contractor or utility engineer. They can provide a detailed cost analysis based on the specific project requirements. However, the range of $125,000 to $250,000 should provide a reasonable allowance for budgeting purposes. Flag for review