Colorado regulators approve Xcel’s massive new transmissions line
USA: Colorado utility regulators approved a plan on Wednesday to build a massive $1.7 B transmission loop around the Eastern Plains.
Image source: CPR News
USA: Colorado utility regulators approved a plan on Wednesday to build a massive $1.7 B transmission loop around the Eastern Plains.
Xcel Energy, Colorado’s largest power company, and other utilities proposed the so-called Power Pathway to assist a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It calls for 805 km (560 mi) of high-voltage transmission lines and four new substations.
Once completed, the company claims it will have enough capacity to ferry 5,500 MW of wind and solar power to the electrical grid. The company hopes to complete the first segments in 2025 — a rapid timeline for massive infrastructure projects.
In filings submitted to Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission, Xcel Energy has argued the project will help meet its goal of 100 % carbon-free electricity by 2050. State agencies have also said it would bring Colorado closer to its climate targets. Regulators withheld a green light for a separate 145 km dogleg into Baca County, which would allow the company to access some of the richest wind resources in Colorado. The Public Utilities Commission will consider approval after seeing bids to build solar and wind projects in the area without the additional transmission infrastructure.
Ken Wilson, an engineering fellow with Western Resource Advocates, said those bidders now know they will have adequate transmission access. “It is cost-effective. We will get more bids and cheaper bids because we are committing to this transmission now,” Wilson said.
After submitting the initial proposal, a coalition of environmental groups, labour organizations, state agencies, solar companies joined a non-unanimous settlement in support of the Power Pathway.
Source: CPR News
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