- Project Description
- Economic Impacts
- Project Team
- Sponsors
Project Description
The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project is proposed to be approximately 460 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and associated substations that will connect and deliver renewable energy resources in Arizona and New Mexico to population centers in the Desert Southwest.
SunZia will increase power reliability and enhance domestic energy security in the Desert Southwest through strategic interconnections with the underlying extra high voltage grid in Arizona and New Mexico. The electricity distributed by SunZia will help meet the nation's demand for renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels for power production.
Land Use
SunZia's Proposed Route (identified in September 2008) maximizes use of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arizona State Land Department and New Mexico State Land Office. Over 80% of this route in Arizona and New Mexico is on public lands. As part of the NEPA process, the BLM will evaluate the Proposed Route along with alternate routes that were identified during the NEPA public scoping. Click here to view the Proposed Route.
Right-of-way corridors for both lines may be up to 1,000 feet, depending on terrain conditions. Typical right-of-way corridor width is 200 feet per 500 kV circuit.
Use of private property will be acquired through fee purchase and easements.
Some Typical Characteristics of 500 kV Transmission Lines
Tubular and lattice steel towers (see below for images of typical tower designs).
Towers will be approximately 130 feet in height. Tower heights will vary depending on terrain.
The distance between towers will be approximately 1,400 feet. This separation will vary depending on route elevation and terrain.
The project will likely utilize aerial construction techniques to reduce costs and minimize ground disturbance, where possible. Depending on the determination of the final project alignment, this and other construction techniques might also be utilized in environmentally-sensitive areas or areas with terrain that limits or prevents ground access.
Some Typical Tower Designs
Substations
SunZia currently proposes to interconnect with up to five substations:
Pinal Central (near Coolidge in Pinal County, AZ)
Willow (near I-10/US 191 in Graham County, AZ)
Hidalgo II (near Lordsburg in Hidalgo County, NM)
SunZia South (near Deming in Luna County, NM)
SunZia East (near Corona in Lincoln County, NM)
Other substations may be constructed along SunZia's route should interconnection with generation facilities be requested.
Configuration Options
1. Two 500 kV AC lines will have an estimated power transfer capacity of up to 3,000 megawatts.
2. One 500 kV AC line and one 500 kV DC line will have an estimated power transfer capacity of up to 4,500 megawatts.
The configuration will depend on how much power transfer capacity is commercially justified by the energy market in the Desert Southwest.
An Economic Impact Assessment was jointly prepared by:
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Economic and Business Research Center Arrowhead Center, Inc.
Eller College of Management New Mexico State University
The University of Arizona Las Cruces, New Mexico
Tucson, Arizona
Summary of Economic Impacts to Arizona & New Mexico
6,200 jobs during a four-year construction period to build SunZia's transmission lines and substations
Over 36,700 jobs during a 2-year construction period for renewable generation projects
Up to 600 permanent jobs from transmission and generation operations
Summary of Economic Impacts to Arizona
Over $145 million in estimated wages and salaries (including benefits) during construction of SunZia
Over $25 million in state and local taxes during construction of SunZia
Over $5 million per year in wages and salaries during operation
Summary of Economic Impacts to New Mexico
Over $275 million in estimated wages and salaries (including benefits) during construction of SunZia
Over $65 million in state and local taxes during construction of SunZia
Over $2 million per year in wages and salaries during operation
Learn more about the economic impacts to the counties that were studied in the Economic Impact Assessment.
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Arizona Counties: New Mexico Counties:
Cochise Chaves Lincoln
Graham De Baca Luna
Greenlee Dona Ana Otero
Pima Eddy Sierra
Pinal Grant Socorro
Guadalupe Torrance
Hidalgo
Download the Economic Impact Assessment prepared by the University of Arizona and New Mexico State University:
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Project Team
Tom Wray – Project Manager
As Project Manager for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, Mr. Wray is responsible for the overall coordination and completion of all required development. Click here for more information on the development of the SunZia Project.
Mr. Wray has thirty-eight years' experience in the domestic electric power industry, focusing on EHV transmission and large power generation project development. He is considered an expert in the siting, development and regulatory approvals of greenfield generation and transmission projects.
His previous positions include founding partner in SouthWestern Power Group; founding partner of Groves, Wray and Associates; numerous positions over a seventeen year career with Public Service Company of New Mexico; and past membership in the New Mexico State Senate. He was the author of the country's first legislative initiative authorizing customer choice, open access and retail competition in the electric utility industry.
Mr. Wray holds an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University, and graduate degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado and business administration from the University of New Mexico.
Mark Etherton – Assistant Project Manager
Mr. Etherton is the Assistant Project Manager and Engineering Manager for the development of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project.
Mr. Etherton is the Director of the PDS Business Unit of Power Engineers, Inc. He has twenty-seven years of electric utility experience with responsibilities ranging from system planning and analysis, protective relaying, substation design and communications systems, as well as approximately nine years in utility supervision and management. Mr. Etherton has been actively involved with the regional transmission planning organizations, including: WestConnect; Southwest Area Transmission Subregional Planning Group and its various subcommittees; independent power producers and the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Mr. Etherton achieved a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (with an emphasis in Power Systems) from New Mexico State University. He has been a Registered Professional Engineer in Arizona since February, 1990.
David Getts - General Manager of SouthWestern Power Group
Mr. Getts joined SouthWestern Power Group in 2001 and is responsible for the overall business and project development efforts of the company which includes the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project.
Mr. Getts has over 20 years experience in the development and financing of infrastructure projects in Europe and the US, with an emphasis on the power generation industry. He has financed over 20 projects in the power generation, transportation and metals industries. He has arranged over $4.0 billion of project finance debt and over $750 million of private equity finance related to infrastructure projects.
Gary Crane - Environmental Manager
Dr. Crane is the Environmental Manager for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project and is responsible for environmental permitting activities as defined by local, state, and federal agencies.
Dr. Crane has extensive experience negotiating and serving as a liaison with regulatory agencies, permitting, compliance and environmental law. He has technical expertise in computer modeling, statistical analysis, technical writing and expert testimony.
Dr. Crane's previous positions included Vice President of Environmental Engineering for Ogden Energy Group, Inc.; Project Manager for Parson Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.; Scientific Consultant and Atmospheric Scientist for Goddard Institute of Space Studies; Environmental Consulting Engineer for United Engineers and Constructors, Inc.; and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physics for City University of New York.
Martin Bailey – Real Property Manager
Mr. Bailey the Real Property Manager for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project and is responsible for all real property activities.
Mr. Bailey has over 20 years of experience in real estate and property management and the development of real estate assets. He served as a director for several Native American councils and organizations promoting resource management and economic development.
His previous positions include Director of Real Estate Services for the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe; Coordinator and Land Use Specialist for the Colorado River Indian Tribes; and Senior Appraiser and Development Officer for Bank of America, G.I.S.
Van Wilgus – General Counsel
Mr. Wilgus serves as the principal general counsel to the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project. His responsibilities include providing legal advice and coordinating various attorneys to assist the permitting, siting, business transactions, and federal and state matters, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Mr. Wilgus has over 30 years experience in the energy, utility and independent power industries with a focus on development, regulation, and mergers and acquisitions. He has extensive experience with rural electric utilities and Rocky Mountain area independent power projects.
His previous positions include senior legal positions with EnergyWest, Inc., Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Company and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. He was also senior legal officer, business development vice-president and part owner of Colorado Energy Management (CEM).
Mr. Wilgus received a B.A. from the Colorado College and a J.D. from the University of Wyoming.
Cindy Freeman – Project Assistant
Mrs. Freeman is the chief assistant to the Project Manager. Her primary responsibility is to aid the management and completion of all development activities of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project. She also provides representation for the Project Manager in numerous important forums.
Mrs. Freeman acts as Secretary to the Development Committee that is comprised of the Project’s sponsors. As Secretary, Mrs. Freeman coordinates and records all Committee activities.
Mrs. Freeman received a B.A. from the University of Arizona.
Sponsors
The SunZia Southwest Transmission Project is sponsored by the following companies:
SouthWestern Power Group II/MMR Group
Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
Tucson Electric Power