Xcel Energy announced Wednesday that it has been awarded three important projects by the Southwest Power Pool (“SPP”) to build new high voltage power lines that will improve electric reliability in Texas and New Mexico.
One of these projects includes the first-ever 765 kV line in the entire SPP footprint, which will help manage electricity demand and move energy more efficiently.
The new projects are: Phantom – Crossroads – Potter 765 kV: This line will run from Amarillo to south of Portales, NM, and down to the bottom of Lea County in southeastern New Mexico.
Grapevine – Kingsmill 115 kV: Located in the Pampa area.
Moore County – XIT 230 kV: Located in the Dalhart area.
The Southwest Power Pool identified these three projects as part of its 2024 Integrated Transmission Plan Assessment, a study performed annually to identify projects to enhance reliability and expand the grid across the 14 states that comprise the SPP footprint. Xcel Energy shared their excitment about the positive impact these projects will have on electric system reliability in the region.
All three lines are crucial for keeping the electricity supply reliable as the communities they will serve are experiencing growth. The Phantom – Crossroads – Potter 765 kV line is especially important because it will support new load growth in the region. Xcel Energy’s Texas and New Mexico service territory is seeing unprecedented demand due to new manufacturing, oil and gas growth and the increasing needs of existing customers and communities.
“We are honored to be entrusted with these critical projects,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – Texas, New Mexico. “These new power lines will not only make our electric grid more reliable but also support the growing economy in our service territory. We are enhancing our infrastructure to ensure that we can meet the energy needs of our customers and contribute to the economic development of the region.”
These projects underscore Xcel Energy’s commitment to strengthening its infrastructure and supporting regional growth. By investing in these critical power lines, Xcel Energy is ensuring a reliable energy future for Texas and New Mexico and SPP’s decision to designate Xcel Energy to build these projects will enable development to start quickly.
Xcel Energy has a proven track record of delivering transmission projects on time and within budget. Over the past seven years, the company has successfully completed eight 345kV transmission line projects in its Texas and New Mexico service territory, adding 318 miles to its extensive high-voltage transmission network, which now spans nearly 8,000 miles.