One of the utilities that serves WIlkes has increased its power generation capacity by 50-percent. Blue Ridge Electric yesterday dedicated a $20 million modernization project that includes a new substation in West Jefferson, upgrades to the Beaver Creek and Horse Gap substations, and eight miles of upgraded or new high-capacity power- transmission lines. The project increased the cooperative’s capacity by 50 percent for Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Avery counties. Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned cooperative that serves about 70,000 members.

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