Edgecombe-Martin County EMC is proud to announce the completion of our new Mayo-Dunbar Substation, a major investment in the reliability and future of our electric system.
Construction on the new substation began in October 2025 and was completed in June 2026. While members may not notice the new facility during their daily routines, this project represents one of the most significant improvements we can make to ensure dependable electric service for years to come.
The previous Mayo-Dunbar Substation served our members well for many years, but its location presented increasing challenges. Situated in a low-lying area, the site had become more susceptible to flooding—a risk that could threaten critical electrical equipment and potentially impact service reliability during severe weather.
With reliability as one of our highest priorities, we relocated the substation to higher ground directly behind the previous site. By moving this critical infrastructure out of the flood zone, we’ve significantly reduced the risk of flood-related damage and strengthened our ability to provide safe, reliable power, even during extreme weather events.
The new Mayo-Dunbar Substation doubles the facility’s capacity, increasing from 12.5 MVA to 25 MVA. This expanded capacity allows us to meet today’s energy demands while preparing for future growth throughout our service area.
The upgraded substation also enhances the flexibility of our electric system. It now gives us the ability to fully back-feed neighboring substations when necessary. In the event of equipment failures, planned maintenance, or certain outage situations, electricity can be rerouted from the Mayo-Dunbar Substation to help restore power more efficiently and reduce the number of members affected.
Another important improvement prepares our system for the future. The new substation is designed to accommodate a future voltage conversion from 7.62 kV to 14.4 kV line-to-ground. Planning for this future upgrade now allows us to improve system efficiency and reliability while reducing the need for costly modifications later.
The new facility also positions us to serve larger electric loads as our communities continue to grow. One of the first major projects that will benefit from this expanded capacity is the new Piedmont Natural Gas pumping station. By planning ahead, we’re ensuring our electric system is ready to support both existing members and new commercial and industrial development.
In addition, the substation features a new circuit-regulated configuration that provides better voltage balancing across the system. Simply put, this helps maintain more consistent voltage levels for members, improving power quality and allowing electricity to be delivered more efficiently throughout the area.
Projects of this size don’t happen overnight. They require months of engineering, planning, coordination, and construction, along with a significant financial investment. Every decision made throughout this project was guided by our commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to the members we serve.
The completion of the Mayo-Dunbar Substation is another important milestone in Edgecombe-Martin County EMC’s ongoing efforts to modernize our electric system, improve reliability, support economic development, and prepare our communities for the future. While much of the work happens behind the scenes, investments like these help ensure that when you flip a switch, the power is there—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.