Latest news with #transmission
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Ratepayers will foot the bill for power transmission project
Jun. 7—MORGANTOWN — Depending on who you ask, NextEra's MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission project will either take advantage of West Virginia ratepayers and countryside to power up data centers in Virginia — or it'll be an economic boon to the Mountain State, generating hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis is solidly in the former camp. In a May report compiled by Cathy Kunkel, "West Virginia Ratepayers Footing the Bill for Infrastructure Build Out, " the IEEFA makes the claim that two power transmission projects slated to run through West Virginia on their way to northern Virginia will cost West Virginia ratepayers more than $440 million over the next 40 years despite the demand being almost entirely attributable to data centers. A data center is a physical room, building or facility that houses IT infrastructure for building, running and delivering online applications and services, according to IBM. One of those projects, a billion-dollar transmission line that includes NextEra's MidAtlantic Resiliency Link, is looking at parts of Monongalia and Preston counties as a route for the 105-mile "major highway " of 500-kilovolt overhead transmission lines running from Greene County to Frederick County, Va. The project will require a 200-foot right of way along its entire length and terminate in northern Virginia, which already has the highest concentration of data centers in the world. The power-hungry facilities are being built at an increasingly rapid pace. According to the IEEFA, electricity demand across the 13-state territory under grid operator PJM Interconnection remained relatively flat for nearly two decades. That's changed in the last three years due almost exclusively to the rise of data centers. As of 2023, data centers accounted for more than one-quarter of the electricity consumption in the state of Virginia, based on data presented by IEEFA. One large data center, the report states, can draw as much power as a city. The think tank says the traditional method of cost allocation — spreading the cost of capital investments across the customer base — isn't equitable when capital improvements are being constructed to feed a single customer or a very small group of customers. "As this report explains in greater detail, traditional methods of cost allocation for major new transmission projects in PJM have not yet been reconsidered in light of the new challenges posed by data center demand growth." The Dominion Post reached out to NextEra with three questions: What benefit will West Virginians receive in exchange for the large transmission lines running through rural parts of the state ? What percentage of the power being pulled from Pennsylvania to Virginia will support data centers ? Will residential ratepayers end up subsidizing the construction of this project in any way ? "The MidAtlantic Resiliency Link is one of the transmission projects PJM selected to enhance grid reliability for customers locally and across the region, " NextEra replied in a statement. "While it's part of a regional solution, the local benefits are significant. The [MARL ] would create hundreds of construction and support jobs, which will, in turn, drive significant investment in the local economy, growing existing businesses and attracting new businesses. Importantly, West Virginia is projected to receive an estimated $150-$400 million in taxes over the 40-year life of this project, depending on the length and route of the final transmission line. The [MARL ] would help drive economic development throughout the state." But before any of that comes to pass, a route must be finalized. Some residents in Monongalia and Preston counties have started voicing concerns about the possibility of having the transmission lines run through or near their properties. Property owners in rural, wooded and farming areas fear they'll be forced to give up ground through eminent domain should their land fall in the chosen path. On May 29, the Preston County Commission passed a resolution opposing the MARL project as currently proposed and urging state and federal regulators, as well as NextEra, to halt development of the project through Preston County. Asked whether a similar resolution might come out of Monongalia County, Commissioner Sean Sikora said the commission is doing its due diligence and has reached out to Preston County for a copy of the resolution—but isn't ready to take any kind of public stance on the matter. NextEra has conducted a series of open house-style public meetings in recent weeks to discuss, among other things, the potential routes, and intends to make its choice known to the various state public service commissions this fall. According to the current timeline, the project is to be completed by the end of 2031.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Ratepayers will foot the bill for power transmission project
Jun. 7—MORGANTOWN — Depending on who you ask, NextEra's MidAtlantic Resiliency Link transmission project will either take advantage of West Virginia ratepayers and countryside to power up data centers in Virginia — or it'll be an economic boon to the Mountain State, generating hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis is solidly in the former camp. In a May report compiled by Cathy Kunkel, "West Virginia Ratepayers Footing the Bill for Infrastructure Build Out, " the IEEFA makes the claim that two power transmission projects slated to run through West Virginia on their way to northern Virginia will cost West Virginia ratepayers more than $440 million over the next 40 years despite the demand being almost entirely attributable to data centers. A data center is a physical room, building or facility that houses IT infrastructure for building, running and delivering online applications and services, according to IBM. One of those projects, a billion-dollar transmission line that includes NextEra's MidAtlantic Resiliency Link, is looking at parts of Monongalia and Preston counties as a route for the 105-mile "major highway " of 500-kilovolt overhead transmission lines running from Greene County to Frederick County, Va. The project will require a 200-foot right of way along its entire length and terminate in northern Virginia, which already has the highest concentration of data centers in the world. The power-hungry facilities are being built at an increasingly rapid pace. According to the IEEFA, electricity demand across the 13-state territory under grid operator PJM Interconnection remained relatively flat for nearly two decades. That's changed in the last three years due almost exclusively to the rise of data centers. As of 2023, data centers accounted for more than one-quarter of the electricity consumption in the state of Virginia, based on data presented by IEEFA. One large data center, the report states, can draw as much power as a city. The think tank says the traditional method of cost allocation — spreading the cost of capital investments across the customer base — isn't equitable when capital improvements are being constructed to feed a single customer or a very small group of customers. "As this report explains in greater detail, traditional methods of cost allocation for major new transmission projects in PJM have not yet been reconsidered in light of the new challenges posed by data center demand growth." The Dominion Post reached out to NextEra with three questions: What benefit will West Virginians receive in exchange for the large transmission lines running through rural parts of the state ? What percentage of the power being pulled from Pennsylvania to Virginia will support data centers ? Will residential ratepayers end up subsidizing the construction of this project in any way ? "The MidAtlantic Resiliency Link is one of the transmission projects PJM selected to enhance grid reliability for customers locally and across the region, " NextEra replied in a statement. "While it's part of a regional solution, the local benefits are significant. The [MARL ] would create hundreds of construction and support jobs, which will, in turn, drive significant investment in the local economy, growing existing businesses and attracting new businesses. Importantly, West Virginia is projected to receive an estimated $150-$400 million in taxes over the 40-year life of this project, depending on the length and route of the final transmission line. The [MARL ] would help drive economic development throughout the state." But before any of that comes to pass, a route must be finalized. Some residents in Monongalia and Preston counties have started voicing concerns about the possibility of having the transmission lines run through or near their properties. Property owners in rural, wooded and farming areas fear they'll be forced to give up ground through eminent domain should their land fall in the chosen path. On May 29, the Preston County Commission passed a resolution opposing the MARL project as currently proposed and urging state and federal regulators, as well as NextEra, to halt development of the project through Preston County. Asked whether a similar resolution might come out of Monongalia County, Commissioner Sean Sikora said the commission is doing its due diligence and has reached out to Preston County for a copy of the resolution—but isn't ready to take any kind of public stance on the matter. NextEra has conducted a series of open house-style public meetings in recent weeks to discuss, among other things, the potential routes, and intends to make its choice known to the various state public service commissions this fall. According to the current timeline, the project is to be completed by the end of 2031.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Potomac Edison proposes upgrades to transmission lines in Frederick, Montgomery counties
Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of the power company FirstEnergy, is proposing upgrades to transmission lines in Frederick and Montgomery counties as part of efforts to accommodate growing power demands in the region. The project, called the Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek Improvements Project, will be constructed in parts of Maryland and Virginia. The project will start on the Maryland state line in southwestern Frederick County and continue east and south toward the Doubs substation. From there, the project will go south through western Montgomery County and cross into Virginia. Dominion Energy, another power company, will work on the improvements between the Virginia state line and its Goose Creek substation in Loudoun County. In Frederick County, the project will be constructed south of Adamstown and go through Tuscarora, according to a map of the proposed route. All together, the project is about 18 miles long. Construction will start in 2027, and the project is supposed to be finished and operating by 2031. The construction in Maryland will cost $422 million, according to FirstEnergy spokesperson Will Boye. 'Potomac Edison will recover the costs through transmission rates, a portion of which are ultimately passed through to utility customers,' Boye wrote. A public information session on the project is scheduled for June 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department in Beallsville. In a notice about this informational session published in the May 22 edition of The Frederick News-Post, Potomac Edison said it will also hold individual and small group conference calls over the next 60 days upon request. People can request calls by emailing transmissionprojects@ or call 888-311-4737. Potomac Edison will primarily use existing transmission rights-of-way, which will minimize environmental and community impacts, according to a project fact sheet. The Gore-Doubs-Goose Creek Improvements Project is supposed to 'enhance transmission system reliability, accommodate growing demand for electricity by residential and commercial customers, and facilitate the connection of new energy sources,' according to the fact sheet. PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission operator that coordinates the movement of electricity in 13 states including Maryland, selected this project to be built to address growing power demands in its territory. The projects PJM selected to be built, including this improvements project, 'will enhance the flow of electricity across the system for all customers and help address the impact of recent power plant retirements in PJM's service territory, including in Maryland,' the fact sheet said. Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in all or parts of seven counties in Maryland, including Frederick County. The company owns and operates 1,200 miles of transmission lines in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Project specifics Some construction work under the improvements project will include building new 500,000-volt transmission lines, as well as: * Installing about a mile of new 500,000-volt structures and transmission line on company-owned property. * Removing part of an existing 138,000-volt line and installing a new steel structure to support the existing line and a new 500,000-volt line for two miles. * Removing two structures that support an existing 500,000-volt line and two 230,000-volt lines and installing three new structures to support five lines for about eight miles. These lines include the existing lines and two new 500,000-volt lines. * Removing a set of structures supporting and existing 500,000-volt line and installing two new structures to support that existing line and another new 500,000-volt line for about seven miles. The company will also expand the Doubs substation, upgrade its equipment and reconfigure connecting transmission lines. All of this construction and work will occur on property owned by Potomac Edison. Before construction can start, Potomac Edison has to get a specific certificate from the Maryland Public Service Commission, so the company is allowed to build the project. Potomac Edison plans to file its application for this certificate in late 2025. While the project is mainly using existing rights-of-way, there are 'some limited areas' where the rights-of-way will have to be expanded to accommodate new transmission structures, according to the fact sheet. Potomac Edison will contact impacted landowners to discuss additional easements and temporary rights to construct the project, including access routes and tree clearing. Boye said areas north of Doubs substation and near the Dickerson substation in Montgomery County have rights-of way that need to be expanded. When asked how many landowners will be contacted to talk about additional easements, Boye said Potomac Edison has 'approached a handful of property owners in those areas (a mix of commercial or privately owned, undeveloped land) to discuss obtaining those easements for fair market compensation.' Right now, Potomac Edison is conducting 'preconstruction activities' along the transmission rights-of-way, according to the project fact sheet. Company employees might be seen driving or walking the properties where the rights-of-way are, taking measurements, placing boundary flags, and gathering soil or vegetation samples.
Trade Arabia
5 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
KEC International wins key Saudi power project contract
KEC International, a global infrastructure engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) major, has secured the contract for the design, supply and installation of 380 kV overhead transmission lines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A unit of RPG Enterprises, one of India's fastest-growing business groups with a turnover of $5.2 billion, KEC International has a footprint in 110+ countries and is involved in the verticals of power transmission and distribution, civil, transportation, renewables, oil and gas pipelines and cables. KEC International also secured its second international order for terminal station works in Africa in addition to its ongoing pipeline laying project in the region. This comes as part of the new orders worth Rs22 billion ($258.7 million) snapped up by the group across various businesses. In addition to the Saudi contract, its Transmission & Distribution business has secured orders for supply of towers, hardware and poles in the Americas along with cable work projects in India and overseas. On the big contract win, Vimal Kejriwal, MD & CEO, said: "We are delighted by the order wins secured across businesses, especially on the international front. The large order wins in Saudi Arabia have further strengthened our international T&D order book." "These wins reaffirm the Mena region's strategic importance as a key growth driver for us. Our subsidiary, SAE Towers has secured a significant tower supply order in Mexico, reflecting an uptick in the North American T&D market," he stated.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Ontario, Toronto to build new electricity transmission line to power city's downtown
Toronto is getting a third electricity transmission line to help power the city's downtown and replace aging infrastructure. The project will help support the city's growth and major transit expansions like the Ontario Line while making the city's electricity grid more reliable, said Stephen Lecce, minister of energy and mines, at a news conference Wednesday morning. "Today is about planning ahead, about doing the hard work to make sure Toronto has the energy infrastructure needs, not just for today, but for decades to come," Lecce said. Toronto's electricity demand is expected to roughly double by 2050, with the greatest need coming from the downtown core, the province said in a news release. "That's not just because we're building new homes or the Ontario Line. It's because of the electrification of vehicles, of heating and industry," Lecce said. "It's because this city is a magnet for towers and investment and economic growth." 3rd line needed to keep up with demand Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has determined that the city will need a third transmission line in order to keep up with demand. The city currently gets its electricity through two transmission supply paths: one from the west at Manby Transmission Station near Kipling Road and Dundas Street, and one from the east at Leaside Transformer Station near Overlea Boulevard and Millwood Road. Those transmission lines will start to reach their capacity in the early 2030s, the news release says. The IESO is expected to make its final recommendation to the government on where the third transmission line should be built by August, after which the Ontario government will determine when construction on the project could begin. The transmission line could take between seven to 10 years to complete, Lecce said. The IESO has identified three potential options for where the new transmission line could be built: An overland route from Pickering to Leaside in Toronto. An overland route from Pickering to the Port Lands in Toronto. An underwater cable from Darlington or Pickering to the Port Lands in Toronto.
