IID Unveils Gateway Substation Upgrades in Calexico
CALEXICO, Calif.- The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) celebrated an upgrade aimed at strengthening the power grid with a ribbon cutting in Calexico.
IID leaders and community officials, including Calexico Mayor Victor Legaspi, gathered to celebrate the Gateway Substation improvements on March 6, 2026. The upgrade is part of the district's long-term efforts to modernize its electrical systems.
The $4.9 million project features an added second bank of circuit feeders and a new high-capacity transformer.
A Gateway land owner, John Pierre Menvielle, said this upgrade will help boost economic growth in the region.
"I'm here today for the groundbreaking and ribbon cutting of the 4.9 million improvement here at the IID substation, which is gonna be beneficial for the Calexico area, for the residential also to the gateway for more added power to the industrial that's gonna be coming here," Menvielle said.
Officials noted that with this upgrade, the district can now support power equivalent to that of around 4,000 homes.
"This reliable power is essential for economic opportunity and this project helps that secure the future of our community is gonna expand and grow," Lewis Pacheco, IID Division 4 said.
According to officials, these improvements will help prevent against power loss during storms and natural disasters. In September of 2025, over 2,000 resident in Calexico lost power during Tropical Storm Mario.
"By strengthening this substation, IIDs improving the systems ability to manage demand, respond to maintenance needs and maintain stability during unexpected events," said Karen Eugenio, Chairwoman of the IID Board of Directors.
The IID says that these upgrades will help provide faster, more reliable services to residents and businesses in the area.
