Zephyr Project (ZTP)

The ZTP Project is being designed as a 3,000 MW line from Wyoming to satisfy load growth in the southwest. TransCanada, the lead developer, is to be commended for its successful FERC filing obtaining approval for use of the Anchor Tenant model as a development tool to enhance the viability of transmission projects. The latest status is as follows:

  • New 500 kV DC line between the Medicine Bow area in Wyoming to Borah, ID and southward down the eastern side of Nevada to the Eldorado Valley, south of Las Vegas.
  • This line is one of two transmission lines TransCanada is developing to the Eldorado Valley, the one listed here and the Chinook Power Transmission Line, a complementary line 500 kV DC line from Montana (see links below).
  • Capacity: 3,000 MW
  • Length: 1100 miles
  • In-service Date: late 2014
  • Cost: $3 Billion
  • Business Model, re: Market(s): LSE’s in Nevada, Arizona and California
  • Developer: TransCanada
  • Status:
    • Commercial Status:
      • Open Season scheduled for late spring, 2009
      • FERC approval of negotiated rate authority and anchor shipper presubscription of 1500 MW of capacity, February 2009
      • Bilateral agreement with wind anchor shipper for 1500 MW of capacity
    • WECC Path Rating Process
      • Initiated the WECC Regional Planning Project Review Process, April, 2009
    • ROW & Permitting Status:
      • Preliminary application filed with the BLM
      • Project has been presented at a NTTG Meeting in 2007 and in subsequent planning sessions
  • Complementary Projects:
    • Chinook Power Transmission Line Project
    • Gateway West, Gateway South
    • TransWest Express
    • Mountain States Transmission Intertie Project
    • Wyoming Overland Intertie Project
  • Primary contact person for general inquiries: John Dunn, Project Manager - Zephyr Power Transmission Line Project Director – Power Transmission Development at john_dunn@transcanada.com or 403-920-5566
  • Link: http://www.transcanada.com/company/zephyr_chinook