High Plains Express Project (HPX)
With eleven (11) developers participating in this project which is being designed as a double-circuit 500 kV AC line, carrying 3,500 MW from Wyoming to Arizona with on-ramps and off-ramps in Colorado and New Mexico. The latest status is as follows:
- New 500 kV AC (double-circuit) transmission lines between Wyoming and Arizona with on-ramps and off-ramps in Colorado and New Mexico
- Capacity: 3,500 MW
- Length: 1,280 miles
- In-service Date: 2017
- Cost: >$5 Billion
- Developers: Trans-Elect Development Company; Western Area Power Administration; Tri-State G&T; Colorado Springs Utilities; Black Hills Corporation; Public Service Company of New Mexico, Salt River Project; Xcel Energy (Public Service Co of CO); New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority; Colorado Clean Energy Development Authority; and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority
- Initiated WECC Regional Planning Process in April 2009
- ROW & Permitting Status: Developers have funded four study committees
- Technical Study
- Commercial Study
- Routing/Permitting Study
- Communications Study
- Status:
- Feasibility study completed
- Executive committee has been formed to further the oversight of the development process
- Project has been introduced into the WECC, CCPG, SWAT and WestConnect regional planning groups
- Business Model: Yet to be defined, could be a combination of utility rate-base, merchant and anchor tenant models, end market(s): LSE’s in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona
- Contact Information: Robert Kondziolka at Robert.kondziolka@srpnet.com or 602-236-0971
Link: http://www.rmao.com/wtpp/HPX_Studies.html

