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Mar 24, 2009

PUC awards wind power transmission line contracts

By ELIZABETH SOUDER / The Dallas Morning News

The Public Utility Commission on Thursday assigned seven utilities to build pieces of a $5 billion transmission line project to bring West Texas wind power to North Texas and Houston.

The decision marks the next step in the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone project, designed to promote renewable energy investment.

Texas has more wind power than any other state, and most of it is in West Texas. Existing transmission lines have nearly reached their capacity to bring wind power to population centers.

"Oncor is pleased by the PUC's movement from discussion to action, stimulating economic development through investment and the creation of hundreds of new jobs," said Don Clevenger, vice president of external affairs for Oncor, which won the largest piece of the transmission project.

Oncor, the electric delivery arm of Energy Future Holdings, will build around $1.34 billion in transmission lines in North Texas for the project.

Another Dallas company, Sharyland Utilities, lead by Hunter Hunt, will build $394 million in transmission lines.

The commission also included newcomers in the process. Wind Energy Transmission Texas, a unit of Spain's Isolux Corsan Concesiones SA, will build $402 million in transmission lines.

Traditionally, transmission line utilities own and operate the power lines in particular regions of the state. In the past, each utility suggests and builds its own projects.

For the CREZ project, the commissioners came up with power lines themselves and allowed anyone to bid on them.

Next, the utilities must file a traditional transmission line application by October, said PUC spokesman Terry Hadley. The application would include proposals for exactly where the lines should go.

WIND POWER TRANSMISSION LINES

Here's how the major projects awarded by the Public Utility Commission for wind power transmission lines break down. The numbers are estimates, and the PUC may award other contracts.

Oncor: $1.34 billion

Electric Transmission Texas: $789 million

Lower Colorado River Authority: $750 million

Lone Star Transmission: $564 million

Wind Energy Transmission Texas: $402 million

Sharyland Utilities: $394 million

Cross Texas Transmission: $390 million

SOURCE: Public Utility Commission

 

You can access the original article here.

 


Comments

Posted by Doug Connolly on 04/01  at  11:21 AM

I’m not sure I understand how these contracts are awarded when it’s not really known where the lines will be located.  We have a wind lease with GE Energy that covers 5,000+ acres in Glasscock/Sterling counties and I understand that they have also leased several other ranches that border ours.  Is there any way of telling which utility will be building transmission lines that might service these properties?  Are there other web sites that can be used to track the progress of these contracts?

Sorry for so many questions, this is really new to us.
Thanks,
Doug

Posted by H. Carlson on 08/07  at  12:17 PM

When are the lines expected to be completed so that more wind turbines will be built?

Posted by Counter Strike Server on 09/21  at  10:46 AM

This project will certainly help promote renewable energy investment, however, a few details about the project seem to be missing.

Posted by Safety Videos on 09/22  at  12:28 PM

It’s really preferable to use wind energy. preferable in a since that wind energy doesn’t harm the environment.

Posted by Auto Parts on 09/25  at  12:58 PM

Not only is wind energy a renewable resource but it’s also one of our natural resources, so it’s wise to invest in it.

Posted by Anonymous on 10/07  at  05:13 AM

I am totally for renewable resources and such, I have worked in the electric untility industry for almost ten years now.  My question to those of you who are pro-investment in this project is, “would you still feel the same way if these companies were going to put these transmission lines and wind turbines in your backyard?

Posted by Legal mp3 Download on 10/15  at  08:19 AM

I’m pro environment so I support your advocacy.

Posted by NY Lien Law on 10/16  at  05:46 AM

It’s really a great discovery, I think it will be successful because this is what we really need.

Posted by Safety Training on 12/29  at  11:04 AM

As long as my safety is ensured then I wouldn’t mind having these transmission lines and wind turbines in my backyard

Posted by Morning Wishes on 01/27  at  09:31 PM

These kind of post are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality content so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post

Posted by fixed annuity on 02/04  at  07:14 AM

I have worked in the electric untility industry for almost ten years now.I understand that they have also leased several other ranches that border ours.  Is there any way of telling which utility will be building transmission lines that might service these properties.But if these companies were going to put these transmission lines and wind turbines in your backyard? Thank you

Posted by MichealRoy on 02/06  at  03:16 AM

I think, Kansans is the ultimate beneficiaries of a robust transmission grid that will increase reliability, lower costs, provide equal access to energy and further wind energy development.Hopefully projects such as this get expanded and we can see some greater consciousness regarding energy management on our planet.

Posted by Beta Alanine Pro on 02/06  at  06:16 PM

Well its a great project and it will provide a lot of benefits to people in the area. There will be new job openings in the area. I am happy that its now moved to North Texas. Thanks for informing.

Posted by Fantasia on 02/06  at  11:50 PM

But this highlights the main issue facing the growth of centralized wind power. You can’t have power without the power lines.Thanks

Posted by Presentation Skills on 02/09  at  06:49 AM

MWh makes no sense there. If the lines could only transmit 18GWh of power that would be immensely underwhelming. In your rant where does time (hours) come into the equation? None of your variables are time dependent, so how could MWh be the unit that you’re suggesting.

Posted by avg free on 02/12  at  02:13 AM

Even I live in Texas but was unaware of the fact that it is using wind power more than any other state.Its a nice step to stimulate the resources and allocate them so every one can get advantage of it.Tough it sound more than enough of $5 billion project of transmission line.I am still happy.Thank you so much for sharing.

Posted by david doff on 02/25  at  03:57 AM

Is there any way of telling which utility will be building transmission lines that might service these properties.But if these companies were going to put these transmission lines and wind turbines in your backyard? Thank you

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