Under the new contract, POWER Engineers will develop a new 345kV transmission line, which aims to improve reliability, reduce system congestion and provide opportunities for the development of additional renewable energy projects on NPPD’s electric grid.
The proposed line is part of Southwest Power Pool’s 10-year transmission expansion plan approved in 2012, which is responsible for ensuring adequate transmission infrastructure in a nine-state region that includes Nebraska.
The new line will be constructed from the existing Gerald Gentleman Station, extending north to a new substation in or near Cherry County, and then extended towards east to a new substation near the eastern border of Holt County.
The new line may also need a re-routing up to two miles of an existing 345kV transmission line into the new substation near the Holt County line.
POWER Engineers environmental services division senior project manager Lynn Askew said the new line is an important project for the Nebraska transmission system.
"POWER is honored to work with NPPD to deliver an efficient, cost effective and environmentally responsible transmission line," said Askew.
