The SunZia Project consists of two extra-high voltage electric transmission lines and substations that will transport primarily renewable energy from Arizona and New Mexico to customers and markets across the southwestern United States.  SunZia is solely an electric transmission project, and is not a power generation facility.

There are abundant solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy resources in Arizona and New Mexico.  These valuable sources of energy are not fully utilized simply because they are distant from existing transmission lines that have available capacity.  The SunZia Project will provide access to these stranded renewable energy sources for distribution to energy consumers across the Desert Southwest.  SunZia’s estimated total transmission capacity is 3,000 megawatts for two 500 kV AC lines, or 4,500 megawatts should a hybrid configuration of one 500 kV AC line and one 500 kV DC line be commercially justified.    

The length of the proposed route is approximately 460 miles.  The final length of the transmission line will be determined through the permitting process.  For SunZia, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires alternative routes be evaluated in an environmental impact statement (EIS).  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), along with several cooperating agencies, is leading the effort to develop an EIS for the SunZia Project.  Environmental Planning Group (EPG) is the third-party contractor working for the BLM to evaluate the environmental resources that may be impacted by the project.  EPG is in the process of examining approximately 2,400 miles of alternate routes.  A Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review and comment by late 2010.  Other federal, state and county permitting efforts are also underway.  SunZia is anticipated to be in service and delivering renewable energy by early 2014.  Click here for more information on the project’s schedule. 

 

Benefits of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project:

Provides an option to develop renewable resources located in remote areas in Arizona and New Mexico that currently do not have nearby access to transmission service; and

Increases reliability of the existing extra-high voltage transmission system in southern Arizona and southern New Mexico; and

Greatly improves power tranfser across the Desert Southwest electricity grid.

 

Use the following links to learn more about:

Environmental Impact Statements and the National Environmental Policy Act

Bureau of Land Management and the SunZia Project

Environmental Planning Group