Western's Transmission Infrastructure news

Construction work starts on ED5-PVH Project

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:41:07 -0700

Western gave the green light to start work on a transmission line and substation to connect the renewable-rich zone south of Phoenix, Ariz., with the Palo Verde market hub, a major electrical trading hub in the western United States. This is the first major construction step for the Electrical District No. 5 - Palo Verde Hub Project.

ED5 project prepares for construction this fall

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:11:19 -0600

The Electrical District 5 - Palo Verde Hub project in Arizona, also known as ED5-PVH, has achieved several milestones as it gears up for construction this fall.

After finalizing the project agreements in fall 2011, Western set the construction schedule in March 2012 and began to procure the contracts necessary to supply the materials and equipment, as well as labor needed to construct the 109-mile transmission project.

Then in September, Western awarded a contract for construction on the ED5-to-Thornton Road section of transmission line. "Giving the contractors the notice to proceed was a big step," said ED5-PVH Project Manager Todd Rhoades. "Now, everything is in place for us to get construction started within the next month or so."

Centennial West Clean Line, Western sign agreement for transmission project development

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:20:02 -0600

Centennial West Clean Line LLC, an affiliate of Clean Line Energy Partners LLC, and Western Area Power Administration have entered into an agreement that outlines a working relationship to advance the development of the proposed Centennial West Clean Line Transmission Project. The proposed project would deliver 3,500 megawatts of renewable power from northeastern New Mexico to communities in California, transported via a 900-mile overhead high-voltage direct current, or HVDC, transmission line. Due to its low electricity losses and smaller footprint, HVDC transmission is the most efficient and cost effective technology to move large amounts of electricity across long distances. The project will include an intermediate converter station in Mohave County, Ariz., to access the state’s abundant solar resource.

Western helps explain transmission role at BLM Solar Workshop

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:27:09 -0600

Two Western employees participated in the Bureau of Land Management Solar Workshop in Las Vegas Nevada March 6-8, 2012. BLM put on the workshop to provide information to Bureau of Indian Affairs on developing solar projects on Federal lands. These workshops include reviews of BLM environmental impact studies, BLM solar zones, and panels on lessons learned and project sponsor challenges. Western Operations Support Specialist John Steward provided an overview of transmission development processes with a focus on solar projects. “It was a great experience to speak at a workshop that provided me the opportunity to educate others on Western’s role as a transmission service provider and a facilitator for interconnections,” said Steward. Transmission Infrastructure Program Senior Investment Officer Roman Fontes also participated in the BLM workshop. He served on a development panel with other Federal agencies and commercial developers discussing the standards and selection process used to screen projects for viability. “BLM solar workshops are an important forum for exchanging information with BLM, BIA, NREL and industry partners on key development tasks to realize solar projects,” said Fontes. “The panel discussed challenges and lessons learned for commercial developers and including commercial aspects of Purchase Power Agreements and Transmission Service Agreements, and bank and finance requirements.” Fontes also conducted a follow up session with BIA participants on commercial and finance structures, negotiations and lease and lease-back arrangements.