Cost to send wind energy downstate balloons to $7 billion

[TexasTowelie]

The Public Utility Commission of Texas issued its latest quarterly report last week on the progress of wiring West Texas to deliver wind energy to metropolitan areas and it shows the project first estimated to cost ratepayers downstate $5 billion will now run closer to $7 billion.

Projects in the Pannhandle are also costing more with Sharyland Utilities estimating its share at $634 million compared to the original $393 million, according to the report. Cross Texas Transmission listed its cost as $427 million, up from $402 million.

A number of factors affected costs as the transmission project moved from planning to implementation. For example, the Public Utilities Commission estimated the cost of rights of way using an average cost, according to the study. Also, the routes were drawn with straight lines, but a variety of challenges necessitated more nuanced routes, adding miles of transmission line.

http://amarillo.com/news/2012-02-06/cost-send-wind-energy-downstate-balloons-7-billion

[Ian David]

1. We need to stop emphasizing mass generation projects and use more small, local projects. n/t