HOUSTON, TEXAS - The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) board of directors has been asked to approve $336 million worth of transmission projects to help accommodate continued strong growth in wind generation.

The proposed upgrade package includes 44 projects, 166 miles of new 345-kV lines and 28 miles of rebuilt transmission facilities across the various jurisdictions where SPP operates, including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas.

The largest five projects, in terms of estimated engineering and construction costs include:

• The Wolf Creek to Blackberry 345-kV line in southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri, at $155.5 million;
• The Wekiwa-Sooner 345-kV line in northeastern Oklahoma, at $85.9 million;
• The Marshall-Smittyville-Bailey-Seneca rebuild in northeastern Kansas, at $17.6 million;
• The replacement of 21 breakers at the 138-kV Riverside Station in Oklahoma, $16.3 million; and
• The installation of the Pryor Junction power transformer in Oklahoma, at $9.2 million.

A major driver for this portfolio of projects is wind generation growth, fossil fuel retirements, solar additions and moderate load growth. The projects are also expected to significantly reduce the congestion costs.

Source: S&P Global