TransWest Express LLC, the developer of a long-planned multistate transmission line in the western U.S., intends to hold an open season for capacity on its project as soon as March, though that date depends on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approving its request.
TransWest Express, owned by private developer The Anschutz Corp., applied to FERC on Dec. 11, 2020 (ER21-645), for authority to sell transmission service rights on its transmission line, running 732 miles in three segments from central Wyoming to the Las Vegas area. It is also seeking negotiated rate authority and approval of a capacity allocation process.
As planned, the line will deliver wind-generated power from Wyoming to the Desert Southwest region. "The TWE Project will provide multiple benefits, including but not limited to enhancing the stability of the existing transmission system, providing greater access to location-constrained resources, and assisting western states in meeting their renewable portfolio standards," TransWest Express said in the application.
The developer requested that FERC approve its application by Feb. 15 so it can begin to solicit bids for transmission capacity shortly after March 1. TransWest Express aims to have the line in service by the end of 2024, saying the timing fits for potential transmission customers to also participate in solicitations by utilities and California community choice aggregators for electricity supplies.
Already, the developer has secured about 95% of the rights-of-way needed for the entire route, as well as county and state permits and needed approvals from federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation.
As proposed, the TransWest Express line would originate near Sinclair, Wyo., interconnected with the PacifiCorp system, and a 500-kV high-voltage, direct-current line would run about 405 miles to Delta, Utah, where it would interconnect with the Intermountain Power Agency's Intermountain power plant. From there, a 500-kV alternating-current line would run 278 miles to the northeast of Las Vegas, interconnecting with the NV Energy Inc. system as well as LS Power Group's DesertLink transmission line, which links into the California ISO-controlled system. A final 49-mile, 500-kV alternating-current segment could interconnect with any number of transmission facilities in the Eldorado Valley area of southern Nevada, TransWest Express said, providing access to utility systems in Arizona, California and Nevada.
Anschutz Corp. also owns an entity called Power Company of Wyoming, which is behind the long-planned Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in Carbon County, Wyo., south of Sinclair. Development of the wind project, planned to be at least 3,000 MW, prompted Anschutz to acquire the TransWest project in 2008. The history of the transmission project, originated by western U.S. utilities, dates back to 2005.
TransWest Express said the transmission project and wind project are being developed "separately and distinctly," and added that nonaffiliated potential transmission customers will not be precluded from seeking capacity on the line.
