The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) reports that a key southwestern transmission line has been energized.
According to WAPA, the Electrical District No. 5 – Palo Verde Hub (ED5-PVH) will strengthen the transmission system in the southwestern U.S. while attracting renewable energy projects.
ED5-PVH starts at the Palo Verde market hub near Wintersburg in Maricopa County, Ariz., and runs southeast to the ED5 substation in Pinal County.
WAPA notes that the Palo Verde market hub is a crucial energy juncture in the western U.S. that serves communities in Arizona, California and Nevada. ED5-PVH adds up to 410 MW of bi-directional capacity to the electric grid – enough capacity to power 30,000 homes.
The project, which was completed on time and nearly $3 million under budget, was a joint effort between WAPA and the Southwest Public Power Resources Group, a collection of public power companies including several WAPA electric and transmission service customers.
The transmission line has already inspired tribal nations to evaluate constructing on their lands renewable projects that could interconnect with the line. The Gila River Indian Community, Tohono O'odham Nation and Ak-Chin Indian Community are working with Western and the Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy to conduct a market assessment, WAPA notes.
