Transformer failure caused early morning outage

Published on August 08, 2025

A 1950s vintage electrical transformer failed at 3:20 a.m. Friday causing a power outage for the White Rock community.

Stephen Marez, deputy utility manager for the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU), explained that there are two transformers in the White Rock electric substation. The Unit 2 transformer is the primary one for the community’s daily electric load while the Unit 1 transformer serves as a backup. However, the White Rock electric load had been moved to Unit 1 in preparation for service work on Unit 2 when the failure occurred. The Unit 1 transformer was manufactured in the late 1950s.

DPU’s standby linemen restored service for all White Rock electric customers, with the daily load moved back to the Unit 2 transformer, by 6 a.m. DPU’s Electric Distribution Division is seeking a replacement transformer for the transformer that failed and has initiated the process for an emergency procurement. Until a new transformer is obtained, White Rock’s substation will not have a backup transformer and service on Unit 2 will be on hold.

DPU recently completed a Distribution System Electrification Study for Los Alamos County with a 30-year horizon. It included an assessment of current electrical infrastructure, and identified and programmed White Rock’s necessary transformer replacements and upgrades.