The southwestern United States is on the brink of a significant power infrastructure upgrade as two major transmission line projects seek federal approvals to advance their development. These ambitious projects, the RioSol clean-energy transmission project and the GreenLink Nevada project, aim to revolutionize the region's energy landscape by enhancing the capacity to transmit renewable energy across vast distances.
The RioSol project, a $2.4-billion initiative developed by Phoenix-based Southwestern Power Group, recently achieved a crucial milestone. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted approval for the project to sell clean energy capacity on its planned 550-mile line. This 1.6-GW, 500-kV high-voltage, alternating current power line will stretch between New Mexico and Arizona, incorporating at least five substations along its route. David Getts, general manager of Southwestern Power Group, expressed optimism about the project's progress, stating that they expect to launch an open solicitation before the end of the year.
RioSol's origins date back to 2006 when it was first proposed. The project is being co-developed with the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority and aims to tap into the region's abundant wind and solar resources. According to the project website, RioSol will access clean power from gigawatt-scale wind farms in New Mexico and solar farms in Arizona. Getts revealed that engineering teams and consultants from New Mexico, Arizona, and across the country are currently working on the project, with major construction decisions expected to take place in 2026.
Interestingly, RioSol's development timeline follows closely behind another significant project in the region - the SunZia Wind and Transmission project. SunZia, which includes wind-power generation and a high-voltage direct-current line, is already under construction and will travel the same route as RioSol. Billed as the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history, SunZia is set to be fully operational by 2026, paving the way for RioSol's subsequent development.
Meanwhile, in Nevada, the $4.2-billion GreenLink Nevada project is nearing final approval from the federal Bureau of Land Management. This ambitious project encompasses 700 miles of transmission lines designed to harness the renewable energy potential of western and northern Nevada. The network of substations and high-capacity 525-kV lines will enable solar and geothermal electricity producers to distribute power throughout the Western United States.
NV Energy, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, is spearheading the GreenLink Nevada project. According to a company spokeswoman, construction is slated to begin in December for the line connecting the outskirts of Las Vegas to the Reno area. The project is expected to be operational by May 2027, with the east-west northern leg completed by the end of 2028. However, the project has faced some delays in the approval process, primarily due to the extensive federal regulatory involvement required for crossing public lands.
The GreenLink Nevada project has also experienced significant cost escalation since its initial proposal. In a May 31 filing to state regulators, NV Energy reported that the project's cost had risen from about $2.5 billion in 2021 to $4.2 billion. The company attributed this increase to supply chain constraints, higher labor rates, and inflation. Despite the cost increase, NV Energy maintains that GreenLink is the most practical solution to meet the state's growing energy demands, citing projected load growth through 2034 due to rising population, increased electrification, and the proliferation of data centers in its service territory.
As these two major transmission projects progress through their respective approval and development stages, they represent a significant step forward in the southwestern United States' transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future. The RioSol and GreenLink Nevada projects not only promise to enhance the region's ability to harness and distribute renewable energy but also stand as testament to the growing investment in and commitment to modernizing America's power infrastructure. As federal approvals are sought and construction timelines are refined, the energy landscape of the Southwest is poised for a transformative leap into a more sustainable and interconnected future.
