The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has proposed a significant transmission infrastructure project to strengthen the electric grid in the Permian Basin, an area known for its oil production. The project includes building 300 miles of extra-high-voltage transmission lines to manage anticipated "extreme" load growth in the region.

Casey Cathey, SPP's Vice President of Engineering, detailed potential solutions, including a 765-kV project and several 500-kV projects in Texas and New Mexico, areas served by SPP. The project is expected to cost approximately $750 million, a figure comparable to SPP’s 2022 and 2023 Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP) portfolios. The full portfolio could ultimately cost between $2 billion and $3.5 billion.

The cost projections are still considered "rough estimates," according to Cathey, with final figures yet to be determined. The project aims to address the challenges faced by both SPP and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) in meeting the growing power demand in the Permian Basin. As load growth continues, this transmission line project is seen as a crucial step in ensuring reliable power supply to the region.

Source: okenergytoday.com