The Fresno transmission upgrades include six projects to replace transmission conductors with modern materials that can carry more electricity and a variety of other changes to the existing grid in the area. The total estimated cost of these projects is $127.5m.
The grid improvements will allow efficient use of the 1,200MW Helms pumped storage power plant located in the foothills east of Fresno, California ISO said.
Keith Casey, vice president of markets and infrastructure development at California ISO, said: “These upgrades help meet the electrical demand in the Fresno area and optimize the use of the Helms pumped storage facility.
“The current conditions in Fresno allow only one of the three pumps at Helms to operate overnight during the summer season and this does not meet the expected local area need. The projects our board approved today will solve that problem over a ten year planning horizon and allow use of two of the three Helms pumps during the critical summer off-peak period.”
