#United States #Burlington #NextEra Energy #Wolf Creek #BlackBerry

NextEra Energy's New Transmission Line

NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest recently announced a major milestone—the successful energization of the Wolf Creek-Blackberry transmission line. This key project was completed ahead of schedule, five months early, and was finished within the allocated budget. Stretching across 92 miles, the line connects the Wolf Creek substation in Coffey County, Kansas, to the Blackberry substation in Jasper County, Missouri.

Enhancing Energy Reliability and Economic Growth

According to Matt Valle, president of NextEra Energy Transmission, this achievement wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of their team and the support from community leaders. He emphasized that this transmission line is a vital investment, not only for economic growth but also for long-term energy reliability in both Kansas and Missouri.

With the increasing demand for electricity in the region, officials like Eric Stafford from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce have highlighted the importance of enabling competitive transmission development. Stafford noted that projects like Wolf Creek-Blackberry are essential for ensuring that Kansas has the infrastructure necessary for businesses to thrive while keeping costs manageable for consumers.

Kansas state representative Leo Delperdang stated that the project exemplifies the need for efficient, reliable infrastructure. He indicated that such advancements directly support economic development across Kansas. Senator Michael A. Fagg added that the Wolf Creek-Blackberry line is crucial for ensuring that future energy needs are met affordably and reliably for Kansas families and businesses.

Economic Impact During Development

The economic implications of the Wolf Creek-Blackberry transmission line extend beyond immediate job creation. During its development, the project generated approximately $55.6 million in new earnings for workers and contributed about $145 million to the local economy. This upfront economic boost is significant, especially as it establishes a more reliable electric grid, making the region attractive for industries that may wish to expand in Kansas and Missouri.

In the long term, the line addresses congestion issues by enhancing capacity and operational flexibility, which in turn bolsters service reliability. Over its projected lifespan of 40 years, the project will eliminate bottlenecks in the electrical grid, which could lead to over $350 million in customer savings. Additionally, it is anticipated to generate $28.2 million in tax revenue for the counties it serves.

The Southwest Power Pool conducted studies that confirmed the benefits of this line for customers in both states. The findings demonstrate that the line will help lower energy costs, eliminate inefficiencies, ease transmission congestion, and enhance the overall reliability of the regional transmission system.

Looking Forward

This represents the second of three major transmission lines awarded to NextEra Energy Transmission by the Southwest Power Pool. The company is deeply committed to advancing its projects with speed and service to the local communities.

As a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission LLC, which is recognized as North America's premier competitive transmission company, NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest operates over 3,100 miles of transmission lines across 17 states and Canada. Their focus remains on strengthening and modernizing the electric grid to meet the growing energy demands of the country. For more information, interested parties can visit NextEra Energy Transmission's website.