TransCanada has concluded an open season for the Zephyr Power Transmission project and has signed precedent agreements for the full 3,000MW of capacity with renewable energy developers in Wyoming. The three creditworthy wind developers are Pathfinder Renewable Wind Energy, Horizon Wind Energy and BP Wind Energy.
The proposed Zephyr project is a 1,000 mile, 500kV high voltage direct current line designed to move 3,000MW of wind-generated electricity from Wyoming to power markets in the southwest US at a cost of approximately $3bn. The target commercial operation date is 2015.
Hal Kvisle, president and CEO of TransCanada, said: “These precedent agreements are a clear indication of wind developer support for significant export transmission capacity for renewable energy out of Wyoming into the southwest markets.
“However, support from key markets and a positive regulatory environment are necessary before we start the significant siting and permitting activities required to construct the project.”