California ISO approves provisions to advance major transmission intertie in Idaho

The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) approved provisions advancing a major transmission intertie that will deliver Idaho wind energy to California and the Southwest.

The approval is for the 500-kilovolt (kV) Southwest Intertie Project-North (SWIP-North). The 285-mile intertie project, estimated to cost about $1.23 billion, includes development of a new transmission line from Midpoint, Idaho, to Robinson Summit, Nev.

This would link to a longer 600-mile line already carrying power from Robinson Summit to just south of Las Vegas, where it connects to the ISO system.

One of the new provisions allows for the consideration of a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant to help accelerate the development of the intertie. The $331 million DOE grant will act as a bridge to speed the project’s construction.

Further, the board also approved Great Basin Transmission ‘s application to become a participating transmission owner in the California ISO. Meanwhile, the DOE signed an agreement with Great Basin Transmission for the northbound capacity entitlements being negotiated by Idaho Power. The grant will fund Idaho Power’s share of the project, and the DOE will later sell the entitlements.

Granting approval for Great Basin Transmission to become a participating transmission owner in the ISO enables the transmission developer to give operational control of its southbound capacity and half of its northbound entitlements on SWIP-North lines to the ISO. That agreement will now go to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for review.

Each of the actions is key to strengthening Western electric grid connectivity, optimizing resource diversity, and giving California access to Idaho wind energy consistent with the California Public Utility Commission’s integrated resource planning.

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