JFK Builds Energy Backbone for $19B Redevelopment

At airports, some of the most critical projects are the ones passengers never see.

At John F. Kennedy International Airport, Central Substation 2 (CS2) provides the power infrastructure needed to support one of the largest airport redevelopment programs in the United States. Completed in September 2025, the facility serves as the energy backbone for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion transformation of JFK.

The 40 MVA substation replaces aging electrical infrastructure with a modern 15kV distribution system designed to support new terminals, roadways and supporting facilities. Beyond meeting immediate needs, the system establishes a scalable platform for long-term growth across the airport.

“The project was designed to deliver reliable, resilient power to support the JFK redevelopment program and future expansion,” said Yemi Oso of HNTB Corporation. “It creates a modern energy backbone that allows the airport to grow while meeting strict delivery milestones.”

Delivering Critical Infrastructure in a Constrained Environment

Building that backbone required overcoming significant physical and operational constraints.

The substation site was bordered by the AirTrain, active roadways and major terminal construction, all within strict height limits and high groundwater conditions. These factors required a compact, two-story design and careful coordination to avoid conflicts with adjacent projects.

At the same time, the project was delivered on an aggressive 30-month schedule, well below typical timelines for similar infrastructure. The team used a design-build approach to enable real-time coordination and divided the work into phased packages to allow design and construction to progress in parallel.

“The challenge was delivering a large-scale substation in a constrained footprint while maintaining operations and coordinating with multiple projects,” Oso said. “Phased delivery, early procurement and continuous coordination made that possible.”

The team also adjusted the substation footprint early in the process, shifting the building more than 30 feet to accommodate utilities for adjacent terminal projects. This proactive coordination helped prevent downstream conflicts and kept the broader redevelopment program on track.

Powering the Program and Accelerating Delivery

One of the most significant innovations came in how the substation was brought online.

To meet critical terminal construction milestones, the team implemented a first-of-its-kind “2-in-1” energization approach in coordination with Con Edison. This allowed portions of the substation to be energized early, providing power to the redevelopment program while remaining systems were still under construction.

This approach reduced schedule risk and ensured that power availability would not delay other major projects across the airport.

The facility also incorporates advanced monitoring and control systems, along with a compact design using cast-coil transformers to improve safety and reduce space requirements. A green roof and energy-efficient systems support sustainability goals, with the project tracking toward LEED Silver certification.

Throughout construction, the team installed more than 60,000 linear feet of feeders across an active airport environment without disrupting operations. Careful sequencing, maintenance-of-traffic planning and coordination with airport operations ensured continuous service for passengers and airlines.

The result is a project that delivers both immediate and long-term value. CS2 enables the timely delivery of new terminals while providing the resilient infrastructure needed to support future growth.

For airport leaders, the takeaway is clear. Foundational infrastructure delivered early in a capital program can create certainty for everything that follows.