KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The 161-kV Evergy Jayhawk Switching Station near Fort Scott, Kansas, has achieved substantial completion. The project to connect a 195-megawatt (MW) wind farm in southern Kansas was delivered under an engineer-procure-construct (EPC) contract by Burns & McDonnell. The wind farm is expected to produce enough renewable power for 70,000 homes.

“Building on our long-term partnership with Burns & McDonnell, this was the first time we have worked together to develop a substation with EPC project delivery,” says Steve Vetsch, Senior Director, Large Transmissions and Substation Construction at Evergy. “This project proves how well the EPC model can work — coming in within our budget and on schedule — as we work to deliver affordable, reliable and renewable power to our customers.” 

Burns & McDonnell collaborated with the utility and vendors to address challenges early and adapt to shifting conditions. Construction began in October 2020 and achieved substantial completion in August 2021. 

“The integrated design and construction approach helped make this project successful,” says Adam Roth, a project manager at Burns & McDonnell. “Even with construction occurring during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective communications and close collaboration made it possible to energize the Jayhawk Switching Station ahead of schedule and without any safety incidents. This project attracted more than 40 construction jobs to the community and those dedicated professionals persevered through a pandemic to complete the work safely.”

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 7,600 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities. Founded in 1898 and working from more than 60 offices globally, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.

About Evergy

Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG) serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We were formed in 2018 when long-term local energy providers KCP&L and Westar Energy merged. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.