Topeka, Kan.-based Prairie Wind Transmission LLC – a joint venture between Westar Energy Inc. and Electric Transmission America – has filed a compromise proposal with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The compromise calls for Prairie Wind Transmission to build a 765 kV transmission line extending about 175 miles from the Wichita area west-southwest to the Liberal area and about 25 miles south-southwest to the Kansas-Oklahoma border from Medicine Lodge.
ITC Great Plains will build a 765-kV line connecting to Prairie Wind Transmission's line near the intersection of Clark, Comanche and Kiowa counties, going about 35 miles northwest to Spearville and then about 145 miles north to the Kansas-Nebraska border. Prairie Wind Transmission and ITC Great Plains previously had submitted separate proposals to build 765 kV transmission lines in Kansas.
The new 765 kV lines would allow the development of an interstate transmission superhighway. This is in accordance with the Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) plans to enhance access to lower-cost electric power markets, improve efficiency of the electric grid, improve reliability and enable extensive development of renewable energy.
Last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission unanimously approved Prairie Wind Transmission's request for key rate components in its proposal to build the new transmission line. Construction of the new line will begin following the receipt of all necessary regulatory and cost allocation approvals, with the new line expected to be in service by the end of 2013.
Project cost will be based on final routing and siting, with final approval by the KCC and SPP.
SOURCE: Prairie Wind Transmission
