A comprehensive tool to determine the cost of building a substation or any small portion of it. Input quantity for an estimate. Add the cost of additional steel (if any) $800 per 1000sqft assuming a 500kCMIL bare copper wire. ft. . This guide provides a transparent look into pricing by capacity, component, and region—equipping engineers, contractors, and procurement teams with accurate insights for 2024 and beyond. What Is a Compact Substation? A compact substation (also known as a package substation or kiosk substation). . Total project ranges: A small, compact distribution substation can start around $1,000,000 and climb toward $3,000,000 for modest upgrades. A mid-size station with a 20–40 MVA transformer, modern protection, and concrete yard may run $3,000,000 to $8,000,000. Large transmission-level facilities. . The MISO transmission planning process focuses on making the benefits of an economically efficient electricity market available to customers by identifying transmission projects that provide access to electricity at the lowest total electric system cost. Here are the main factors driving the price: Rated Power (kVA): Options range from 250kVA to 2500kVA.