Consumers Energy Starts Work on New Substation to Improve Electric Service in Grayling Area

Grayling, Mich. Monday, July 28, 2025

Consumers Energy has started construction on the new Skyline Substation, part of a major new effort to improve electric service to homes and businesses and pave the way for more economic growth in the Grayling area.

“Consumers Energy is committed to building a smarter electric grid through our Reliability Roadmap that put us on the path to fewer and shorter power outages,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of electric distribution. “We know the Skyline Substation and other upgrades will lead to fewer power outages for residents in the growing Grayling community.”

The new substation is being built along West 4 Mile Road near I-75 south of Grayling and should be complete by the end of the year. A substation is a key part of the electrical grid that helps manage the flow of electricity by adjusting voltage levels and directing power where it's needed.

The substation will be located closer to most Grayling residents than the existing facility it will replace. In addition, Consumers Energy will carry out line clearing and upgrades to several miles of power lines in the area, modernizing technology and reducing the risk of outages.

Last, the electric upgrades will support economic growth in the region, including a new Saab manufacturing facility that should open next year.

"Our planned upgrades in Grayling are a great example of how powering economic growth leads to a stronger electric grid and more reliable, affordable energy for all of our customers,” Salisbury said.

Consumers Energy’s Reliability Roadmap is a long-term blueprint for fewer and shorter outages. The company has set goals of ensuring no more than 100,000 customers lose power, even after severe storms, and restore energy to everyone in 24 hours or less.

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. We take seriously our responsibility to provide that gas to millions of customers that need it from us, and that is why we’re making our system stronger, safer and more affordable than ever before.

###

Media Contact: Brian Wheeler, 517-740-1545 or brian.wheeler@cmsenergy.com