Public Utility Commission of Texas approved a plan to build the first extra high voltage transmission lines in ERCOT to help meet the rapidly growing power needs in Permian Basin. Commission chair Thomas Gleeson said, “Extra high voltage lines are more effective and strengthen reliability. Because each line can carry more power, fewer lines are necessary to serve the needs of the Permian Basin region, meaning less disruption to Texas landowners, natural habitats and landscapes.”
PUCT was required by a law passed in 2023 to approve an electric reliability plan for the Permian region to support expansion and electrification of Texas’ oil and gas industry and growing electricity needs in west Texas. PUCT said April 24 higher voltage lines can carry more power and meet higher levels of demand as the state continues to grow, reduce expensive congestion on existing transmission lines, and save money in the long term by avoiding the need to build new transmission lines.
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