Texas approves $13.8 B plan for Permian Basin grid
Texas regulators have approved a major reliability plan that could see the state’s first 765-kV transmission lines built in the Permian Basin.
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USA, Texas: Texas regulators have approved a sweeping reliability plan for the Permian Basin to address soaring electricity demand driven by oil and gas production, data centres, and industrial growth. The plan could see the state’s first 765-kV transmission lines built to import power from other regions, marking a milestone in Texas grid development.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) directed transmission service providers to begin preparing applications for eight new import paths into the Permian Basin– five 345-kV and three 765-kV routes. A final decision on whether to move forward with 765-kV construction is expected by May 1.
“These would be the first 765-kV lines ever built in Texas, and some of the first in the US,” said Doug Lewin, President of Stoic Energy. Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty added that higher-voltage lines could save $100–300 million annually in congestion costs while reducing line losses and overall route length.
By 2038, the Permian Basin’s power demand is projected to reach 26 GW, roughly one-third of today’s summer peak across the ERCOT footprint. The approved plan has been estimated to cost $13.8 B for the 765-kV option, compared with $12.95 B for a 345-kV alternative.
PUC Commissioner Lori Cobos, who led development of the plan, called the Permian Basin “the heartbeat of our state and nation’s energy dominance.” Industry associations praised the decision as a “critical step” toward ensuring long-term reliability and supporting continued economic growth in the region.
The plan forms part of Texas’s broader effort to reinforce grid resilience amid surging energy demand, positioning the state as a national leader in transmission expansion.
Source: Utility Dive
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