The SunZia Project consists of two extra-high voltage electric transmission lines and substations that will transport primarily renewable energy from Arizona and New Mexico to customers and markets across the southwestern United States. SunZia is solely an electric transmission project, and is not a power generation facility.
There are abundant solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy resources in Arizona and New Mexico. These valuable sources of energy are not fully utilized simply because they are distant from existing transmission lines that have available capacity. The SunZia Project will provide access to these stranded renewable energy sources for distribution to energy consumers across the Desert Southwest. SunZia’s estimated total transmission capacity is 3,000 megawatts for two 500 kV AC lines, or 4,500 megawatts should a hybrid configuration of one 500 kV AC line and one 500 kV DC line be commercially justified.
The length of the proposed route is approximately 460 miles. The final length of the transmission line will be determined through the permitting process. For SunZia, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires alternative routes be evaluated in an environmental impact statement (EIS). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), along with several cooperating agencies, is leading the effort to develop an EIS for the SunZia Project. Environmental Planning Group (EPG) is the third-party contractor working for the BLM to evaluate the environmental resources that may be impacted by the project. The BLM and EPG are in the process of examining approximately 2,400 miles of alternate routes.
Other federal, state and county permitting efforts are also underway. SunZia is anticipated to be in service and delivering renewable energy by 2015. Click here for more information on the project’s schedule.
Benefits of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project:
Provides an option to develop renewable resources located in remote areas in Arizona and New Mexico that currently do not have nearby access to transmission service; and
Increases reliability of the existing extra-high voltage transmission system in southern Arizona and southern New Mexico; and
Greatly improves power transfer across the Desert Southwest electricity grid.
Use the following links to learn more about:
Environmental Impact Statements and the National Environmental Policy Act
Bureau of Land Management and the SunZia Project
American Wind Energy Association - SunZia is now a member of this group.
SunZia Announces Commencement of Anchor Tenant Process
Starting November 1, 2011, SunZia Transmission LLC (“SZT”) will commence an anchor tenant process for up to 50% of the merchant capacity available on the proposed SunZia Southwest Transmission Project. SZT is interested to discuss reserving future transmission capacity and the subsequent sale of long-term transmission service rights for up to approximately 1350 MW at negotiated rates with qualified potential anchor tenants.
SZT is offering delivery at the following delivery points: SunZia East, Midpoint, Hidalgo, Willow 500 kV, Pinal Central and Hassayampa/Palo Verde. SZT expects to achieve commercial operation in 2016.
Interested parties should contact Jeff Rutland at jrutland@southwesternpower.com between November 1 and November 30, 2011 to request the anchor tenant criteria that SZT will use to determine which parties qualify for anchor tenant discussions.
Media inquiries should contact Ian Calkins via at ian@copperstate.net.
In due course, SZT will hold an open season for the remaining 50% of the merchant capacity and any unsubscribed anchor tenant capacity.
For additional information, see the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order on SunZia Petition, 5/20/2011 (Docket EL11-24-000).