Pasadena Approves $43.95 Million Power Infrastructure Upgrade

Pasadena Water and Power will move forward with a critical infrastructure project to replace over 200,000 feet of underground power transmission cables, after the City Council approved a $43.95 million contract with Anixter, Inc. on Monday.

The project, known as the Path Two Cable Replacement, represents a crucial upgrade to the city’s electrical infrastructure. PWP officials emphasized the importance of replacing aging underground cables that serve more than half of the city’s power distribution system.

“This is one of the main important projects that we have,” said Varoojan Avedian, PWP’s assistant general manager for power delivery. The project will replace cables connecting the Santa Anita and Glenarm Receiving Stations, spanning approximately 4.5 miles of underground infrastructure.

The contract includes a base amount of $37.2 million, with an additional $6.7 million in contingency funds to address recent copper price fluctuations. City officials noted that approximately 75% of the cable cost is driven by copper prices, which have shown significant volatility due to recent federal tariffs.

PWP plans to begin cable replacement in October 2026, with completion targeted before the summer of 2027. The project is strategically timed to minimize disruption to the city’s power supply and complete work before the Olympics.

Pasadena Water and Power General Manager David Reyes highlighted the dynamic pricing challenges, noting that copper prices had increased from $4.78 to $5.50 per pound in just a few days. The contingency funds will help mitigate potential additional costs.

The project involves not just cable replacement but also significant infrastructure improvements. PWP has already reinforced underground vaults and addressed environmental concerns, including asbestos removal from existing infrastructure.

Councilmember Hampton suggested the need for a broader strategy to address volatile commodity pricing for critical infrastructure projects.

The upgrade is part of PWP’s Power Delivery Master Plan, approved by the City Council in June 2022. The project aims to ensure reliable power transmission, particularly during peak demand periods, and supports the city’s commitment to maintaining critical infrastructure.

With the contract approved, PWP will proceed with procuring the necessary cables, with plans to seek a construction contractor later this year.