Georgia Transmission began planning for the $48m project in late 2004. The 500kV line will be energized in the summer of 2010.
John Raese, vice president of project services at Georgia Transmission, said: “Georgia’s energy demand has nearly doubled since 1990 due to growth in population and per-capita energy use. By fortifying the power grid, Georgia’s utilities are protecting all Georgians from increased outages and a greater risk of blackouts.”
Irby Construction handled the construction, which began in early 2008. Georgia Transmission will pay more than $300,000 in property taxes in 2010 to the counties through which the line passes
The transmission line totals 38.7 miles, stretching through portions of Glascock (12.9 mi.), McDuffie (11.6 mi.), Warren (3.6 mi.) and Washington (10.6 mi.) counties. More than 366 miles of wires span across 158 latticed steel structures that average 140 feet in height. The transmission line right-of-way is 150 feet wide, encompassing 704 acres of land at a cost of more than $4m.
The project will use a new Delta Cat design. Developed in cooperation with Georgia Power and Southern Company, Georgia Transmission’s design also has shields to guard against outages from bird contamination.
Georgia Transmission, a not-for-profit cooperative that builds and maintains high-voltage infrastructure on behalf of 39 Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) in Georgia.
