May 20 2014
Electric Transmission Texas, LLC (ETT) has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to construct a proposed single-circuit 138-kV transmission line in Nueces County from ETT's Barney Davis substation to AEP Texas Central Company's (TCC) Naval Base substation.
ETT is a joint venture between subsidiaries of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
The project is necessary to maintain transmission service reliability to Flour Bluff, portions of Corpus Christi, and the North Padre-Mustang Island area. The project was endorsed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Jan. 24, 2013. The ERCOT endorsement also requires TCC to install a new 138/69 kV autotransformer at the Naval Base substation.
"This project provides support to the Corpus Christi area transmission network and reduces the possibility of loss of electric load during certain network conditions, such as the scheduled maintenance of transmission facilities," said ETT President Calvin Crowder.
At Naval Base substation, TCC also will construct a new 69-kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) to improve the service reliability of the substation equipment and install a new 138-kV/69 kV autotransformer and 138-kV termination facilities for the new line termination. ETT will construct the new 138-kV termination facilities at the Barney Davis substation.
ETT anticipates construction of the project to begin in April 2016, and the new transmission line will be energized by December 2016. Based on preliminary routing, the transmission project could total from 6.1 to 16.1 miles. The final route length will depend on which route is approved by the PUCT. The approximate cost of the entire project is expected to range between $33.1 million and $50 million.