AltaLink's Gaetz Substation just east of Red Deer. (AltaLink)

By Sheldon Spackman

Time To Review

AUC considering transmission line development project proposed for central Alberta

May 18, 2021 | 10:27 AM

A decision is expected sometime later this summer regarding new transmission line development projects proposed for parts of central and east central Alberta.

This after the conclusion last week of a month-long public hearing held virtually and hosted by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), which will rule on the application from the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) on the need for the project.

The Central East Transfer-Out Transmission Development Project contains applications from ATCO Electric Ltd and AltaLink Management Ltd.

ATCO’s application includes upgrading the existing Tinchebray 972S Substation northeast of Halkirk and construct and operate a new double-circuit, approximately 80-kilometre long, 240-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between there and AltaLink Management Ltd’s proposed 962L/968L transmis​sion line.

AltaLink is requesting approval to construct and operate a new double-circuit, approximately 50 to 60-kilometre long, 240-kV transmission line between the existing Gaetz 87S Substation just east of Red Deer, and ATCO Electric Ltd.’s proposed 9L62/9L68 transmission line.

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AltaLink is also applying to alter the Gaetz 87S Substation to accommodate the two new ​240-kV circuits.​

Double circuit monopole. (AlatLink)

Amanda Sadleir, Manager of Corporate Communications with AltaLink, says their portion would essentially connect areas east of Red Deer to ATCO Electric’s service territory.

“Our portion of the project would be between Red Deer and the village of Alix. Then we’re connecting to ATCO, who would then carry on the project within their service territory.”

She says the project is staged to be in generational milestones.

“Because of that, there’s one circuit that is needed earlier, and then another circuit that would be needed a little bit later based on the projected need in the area,” says Sadleir. “Because this project needs two circuits, we’re proposing that they’re both built on the same structure, so one structure would hold both circuits at the same time. The reason we’re doing that is because it allows us to avoid having to build two different structures, so there’s minimal impact as far as the amount of land that’s required.”

Sadleir notes that AltaLink’s application, which was shared and reviewed during the public hearing, includes all information received from its consultation with stakeholders, engineering information, environmental survey work, and site decisions that were made and why.

“The application includes everything that helped us get to the decision on the routes that we put forward to the Alberta Utilities Commission,” she remarks. “It’s an open and fair transparent process for stakeholders to be able to participate and present their positions to the Alberta Utilities Commission and go into more detail about some of the aspects of the project. Stakeholder input is critical for us in our project planning.”

Sadleir anticipates the AUC to make a decision on the project sometime before fall.

“If the commission decides to approve the project, then the next steps would be preparing for construction,” says Sadleir. “The first stage right now is anticipated to be complete by 2023, and the second stage is anticipated to be complete sometime between 2027 and 2029. So once the project is approved, the Alberta Electric System Operator, they determine the need for the project and they monitor the system, so once those generation milestones have been met, they will direct AltaLink to move forward with construction at that time.”

Sadleir says the project would ultimately help ensure the stability and reliability of electricity for the areas it would serve.

“We really appreciate all of the time and effort that people took to helps us out and provide us with the information that helped us determine the lowest overall impact routes that we put forward for the project.”