National Grid Upgraded Buffalo Substation

The $32 million project increases electrical capacity for the Larkinville and First Ward areas.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of electrical substation equipment, including a transformer and circuit breakers on a gravel surface, rendered in matte geometric shapes. — National Grid has finished a $32 million modernization project at the Perry Street substation in Buffalo to boost electrical capacity for regional development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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National Grid has completed a $32 million upgrade to the historic Perry Street substation in Buffalo. The project modernizes critical infrastructure to support growing electricity needs in the Larkinville and First Ward neighborhoods.

Why it matters

The upgrade addresses rising energy demands in the area, where new projects are currently exceeding 1 megawatt of load. Improving this delivery capacity is essential to support ongoing regional development.

The project replaced equipment to boost distribution delivery voltage from 4,160 volts to 13,200 volts. National Grid has announced plans to modernize or rebuild 12 additional substations across its service network.

The players

National Grid

National Grid is an electricity and gas utility company that provides energy services to residential and commercial customers across the region.

The details

The original facility, which dates back to 1916, underwent a complete replacement of its distribution delivery equipment to meet modern standards. This technical overhaul ensures the grid can accommodate higher load growth identified within the city.

The original facility was constructed in 1916.

Market Landscape

This project aligns with the broader push to modernize aging electrical infrastructure, a critical move for utilities facing increasing demand from urban development. It positions National Grid to maintain reliability as competitors and regional providers scale capacity for modern electrical loads.

Residents and business owners in Larkinville and the First Ward should benefit from improved grid stability and reduced risk of outages. These upgrades provide the necessary capacity for new developments in these neighborhoods to connect to the power grid without service limitations.

The takeaway

Reliable power delivery is a cornerstone of urban expansion for rapidly developing commercial districts like Larkinville. Maintaining aging facilities ensures that residential and business growth is not hindered by outdated electrical constraints.