wiredInUSA November 2019

PNM Resources, an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has secured approval from New Mexico regulators to acquire the Western Spirit renewable power transmission line for an investment figure of around $285 million. The proposed 140-mile, 345kV transmission line will collect renewable power from central New Mexico and deliver approximately 1,000MW to the existing grid in north-western New Mexico. PNM Resources signed an agreement in May 2019 to acquire the power line project, and that deal has now been approved by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, following earlier approval by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Pattern Development and NM RETA will be responsible for the development and construction of the Western Spirit transmission line, and PNM will become the owner of the project upon its completion in 2021. The line will deliver wind-generated energy. KenWilson,anengineeringfellowwithWestern Resource Advocates, commented: “The new transmission line should be good news for Arizona utilities, where price-competitive wind options are more limited. Arizona has excellent solar resources, but a limited wind resource, which is not as competitive in price as the wind that is available in New Mexico. This new transmission line can be used by utilities in Arizona and California to bring New Mexico’s strongwind resources to customers.”

Power acquisition meets approval

wiredInUSA November 2019

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