The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) will recommend the construction of
a 240 kilovolt (kV) loop system to connect up to 2,700 megawatts (MW) of wind power
proposed throughout southern Alberta over the next ten years.
The recommended 240 kV Loop system will gather wind power produced at wind farms spread over
a wide geographic area throughout southern Alberta, and channel this electricity into the grid. To more effectively pace the transmission development necessary to integrate wind projects, the
AESO is proposing this transmission development occur in stages, rather than building all of the
transmission at once.
“It’s critical the transmission system has a flexible plan for development,” says Neil Millar,
Vice-President Transmission, AESO. “By applying to the AUC for all the development but
actually building it in stages as it’s needed, we are in a better position to respond to the
development pattern of wind in Alberta. A staged plan that balances the need for reinforcements
as wind generation develops also enables prudent management of the cost of transmission
development.”
The AESO estimates the first stage of the transmission development will cost approximately
$750 million and incorporate as much as 1,200 MW of additional wind power.
Currently, 497
MW of wind power is installed on the transmission system.
The two latter stages of development will be triggered by wind proposals as they mature through
the AESO’s milestone process and the AESO estimates that these stages will cost an additional
$800 million and $280 million respectively.
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