A map of the approved project shown as a reference, with the final transmission line route shown in red. (AltaLink)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

240 kilovolt transmission line

AUC approves construction of new transmission line east of Red Deer

Sep 16, 2021 | 12:08 PM

The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has approved the building of a new transmission line between Red Deer and the Village of Alix.

According to officials with AltaLink, the approved project includes building a new double circuit 240 kilovolt transmission line between AltaLink’s existing Gaetz Substation, located east of the City of Red Deer, to ATCO Electric’s approved transmission line southeast of Alix. It also entails installing new equipment at the Gaetz Substation.

AltaLink’s approved route for the new transmission line is said to minimize impacts by paralleling existing linear infrastructure like power lines, roads and Highway 11.

AltaLink officials say stakeholder input was a critical part of their project planning.

“During our consultation process we had one-on-one consultations with more than 570 stakeholders and held four open houses to gather input and answer questions,” said Amit Sharma, Digital Communications Advisor for AltaLink, in a press release. “The information that we received from stakeholders was valuable in helping us refine the options that we included in our application for the project. We want to thank everyone for taking the time to discuss the project details with us and provide their feedback.”

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Sharma says construction of the project is staged to align with generation milestones in the area so that transmission capacity is built as generation targets are met. When the generation milestones have been met, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) will direct AltaLink to begin construction.

He says once AltaLink receives direction to begin construction, the company will contact stakeholders within 800 metres of the approved project to provide more information about the construction schedule and planned activities.

For more detailed information about the project, visit: http://www.altalink.ca/projects/view/311/central-east-transfer-out-project.

Related: Hearing for proposed transmission line starts Thursday