Everything is Bigger in Texas--Including Transmission Line Projects

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Research by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--As wind development has increased tremendously over the past few years, it has strained Texas transmission lines. There are remote, rural areas in Texas that are suitable for wind power development but are handicapped by a lack of transmission infrastructure. While many windfarms can be built in a year or less once approved, transmission line projects need at least a couple of years to get through the permitting process, and then another couple of years to build.

In 2005, the Texas legislature introduced the concept of Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ), which are designated areas for renewable energy construction and transmission projects. The state has plans to construct transmission lines spanning more than 2,300 miles to support wind power and bring electricity to central and east Texas.

Texas has one big advantage over the other states: its own power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid covers 75% of Texas' land area and carries approximately 85% of its electric load. That means Texas can go through the regulatory process much faster, without the need to consult with other states or federal authorities.

While this allows transmission projects to move ahead more quickly than in other locations, landowners remain the gatekeepers for the construction major transmission projects. Several proposed transmission lines have unleashed an army of angry landowners who do not want power lines crossing their farmlands.

IIR is tracking more than $3 billion of transmission line projects, covering approximately 1,500 miles that are scheduled to begin construction in the next few years. Lines are being developed by companies including Electric Transmission Texas (Austin, Texas), Oncor Electric Delivery (Dallas, Texas), Lower Colorado River Authority (Austin, Texas), Sharyland Utilities (Amarillo, Texas) and Southwestern Public Service Company (Amarillo).

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