Calgary, Alta. - The new Substation No. 1 was officially opened on July 2nd, 2026 - marking a historic day for ENMAX. The Substation No. 1 modernization project, one of the largest in ENMAX’s history, was completed on time and under budget thanks to the tireless efforts of the ENMAX Power team.

Substation No. 1 is a key part of downtown Calgary. Originally built in 1912, it has helped Calgary grow by reliably providing power to nearly half of downtown.  The new substation, a project several years in the making, strengthens the power system overall, reduces the risk of older equipment, and will help Calgary continue to grow as demand for electricity increases. 

“Just as the original station helped build Calgary in the early 1900s, this new one will help support Calgary for generations to come,” said Greg Retzer, Executive Vice President, ENMAX Power. “This project is very meaningful for ENMAX, given the history of Substation No. 1 and its importance to the city, and I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the ENMAX Power team in making this achievement a reality.”

The design of the new substation includes visuals and images that honour Substation No. 1’s legacy, such as planning maps and historical images from 1910 and design elements from the original substation.  The new and updated equipment in the substation enables enhanced safety and reliability and leads the industry in how substations can be innovatively designed to operate within a smaller downtown footprint.

ENMAX is proud to serve this city not just by keeping the lights on, but by planning ahead and investing in what comes next.
For more information, visit enmax.com/sub1.