Wyoming Infrastructure Authority

With twelve (12) 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: 2019
• Cost: >$5 Billion
• Developers:LS Power; 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); NextEra Energy Resources; 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; Stage 3 MOU executed
  • 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: Jim Pratt Jim.Pratt@srpnet.com or 602-236-5385
• Link: http://www.rmao.com/wtpp/HPX_Studies.html