Who is Horizon West Transmission?

Horizon West Transmission, LLC (Horizon West), is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, a leading competitive transmission company that develops, finances, constructs, operates and maintains transmission assets across North America. 

NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiaries own and operate high-voltage transmission assets in 10 states and Canada. The company’s investments are critical to improving the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid.  

 

What is the Ironwood Transmission Line project?

The proposed Ironwood Transmission Line project is an approximately 80-mile, 500-kV transmission line that would primarily span southern Imperial County, California, connecting the existing North Gila substation in Yuma County, Arizona, and the Imperial Valley substation in Imperial County. 

The critical east-west corridor would serve Southern California’s population centers, unlocking access to vast renewable resources in Arizona and California’s Imperial Valley region.   

 

What is the purpose of the Ironwood transmission line?

In May 2023, CAISO identified a portfolio of transmission projects in its 2022-2023 Transmission Plan that are needed to meet growing energy demand and enable California’s transition to a carbon-free electric grid.

CAISO is the non-profit, independent system operator responsible for maintaining the reliability of the electric grid, planning for new transmission lines and operating the wholesale energy market in California and a small portion of Nevada. A new approximately 80-mile, 500-kV tranbsmisison linewas included in the CAISO’s 2022-2023 Transmission Plan. 

Overall, the proposed transmission line will help maintain the reliability of the electric grid and help California meet its clean energy goals by providing access to multiple renewable energy resources.   

 

What is your role in this project? 

The CAISO selected Horizon West Transmission as the project sponsor for the Ironwood transmission line.  

Horizon West is now developing a detailed environmental assessment to evaluate proposed routes, which will be shaped by input from stakeholders, environmental groups, local governments, Tribal Nations and other interested parties.

 

Who will receive the power?

The Ironwood power line will help provide critical reinforcement of the electric grid in Southern California and provide over 3,000 megawatts of transfer capacity, enabling the delivery of clean energy to population centers in the region.

 

How will local communities benefit from the Ironwood project?

The project is expected to provide numerous benefits to the local community, including:

·         Delivering low-cost, reliable renewable energy to California customers

·         Enabling the transition to a clean energy grid

·         Improving the reliability of the regional electric grid

·         Spurring investment in local economies during construction

·         Limiting impacts to local landowners by using existing transmission corridors and federal land where possible

·         Enabling further development of Imperial County’s renewable resources industry

·         Providing state and local tax revenues of more than $128 million over the life of the Ironwood project that can be used to help fund schools, parks and roads

 

Where will the project be located?

The proposed transmission line will be located in Southern California. 

A detailed environmental assessment is being conducted to evaluate proposed routes, which will be shaped by input from stakeholders, environmental groups, local governments, Tribal Nations and other interested parties.

After an independent analysis and public input, the California Public Utilities Commission, Arizona Corporation Comission and federal siting authorities will issue the final determination on the transmission line route.  

 

What is your experience in the state of California?

Horizon West, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, currently owns and operates transmission assets in California and is a regulated public utility in the state. 

Trans Bay Cable, another NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiary, owns and maintains a 53-mile, underground transmission line in the San Francisco Bay, which provides approximately 40% of the daily electrical power in San Francisco and surrounding areas.   

In addition, NextEra Energy Resources subsidiaries own and operate solar facilities, wind facilities and battery energy storage systems in more than 20 California counties.  

NextEra Energy Resources has been successfully developing renewable energy projects and transmission facilities in the state of California since 1989. We have invested nearly $10 billion in the state. We paid $34 million in property taxes in 2022 and are responsible for $22 million in annual payments to California landowners. 

 

What is the expected schedule?

The Ironwood Transmission Line is anticipated to be in service by 2030. The project schedule is subject to change based on regulatory approvals.

Who is Horizon West Transmission?

Horizon West Transmission, LLC (Horizon West), is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, a leading competitive transmission company that develops, finances, constructs, operates and maintains transmission assets across North America. 

NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiaries own and operate high-voltage transmission assets in 10 states and Canada. The company’s investments are critical to improving the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid.

 

What is the Imperial Valley – North of SONGS Project?

The proposed Imperial Valley – North of SONGS project is an approximately 137-mile, 500-kV transmission line that would span portions of Imperial County, San Diego County, Riverside County and Orange County. It would connect the existing Imperial Valley substation to a new proposed 500/230-kV substation located north of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The project also entails building the proposed substation.

The proposed transmission line would provide a critical link between the renewable resources in California’s Imperial Valley region and communities in the Greater Los Angeles area.

 

What is the purpose of the Imperial Valley – North of SONGS transmission line?

In May 2023, CAISO identified a portfolio of transmission projects in its 2022-2023 Transmission Plan that are needed to meet growing energy demand and enable California’s transition to a carbon-free electric grid.

CAISO is the non-profit, independent system operator responsible for maintaining the reliability of the electric grid, planning for new transmission lines and operating the wholesale energy market in California and a small portion of Nevada. The Imperial Valley – North of SONGS project was included in the CAISO’s 2022-2023 Transmission Plan.

Overall, this proposed transmission line will help maintain the reliability of the electric grid and help California meet its clean energy goals by providing access to multiple renewable energy resources.  

 

What is your role in this project?

The CAISO has selected Horizon West Transmission as the designated developer for the Imperial Valley – North of SONGS transmission line and substation.

Horizon West is now developing a detailed environmental assessment to evaluate proposed routes, which will be shaped by input from stakeholders, environmental agencies, local governments, Indigenous Nations and other interested parties.

 

Who will receive the power?

The Imperial Valley – North of SONGS transmission line will help provide critical reinforcement of the electric grid in Southern California and provide over 3,000 megawatts of transfer capacity, enabling the delivery of clean energy to population centers in the region.

 

How will local communities benefit from the project?

The Imperial Valley – North of SONGS project is expected to provide numerous benefits to local communities, including:

·         Delivering low-cost, reliable renewable energy to California customers

·         Enabling the transition to a clean energy grid

·         Improving the reliability of the regional electric grid

·         Spurring investment in local economies during construction

·         Limiting impacts to local landowners by using existing transmission and transportation corridors where possible

·         Providing state and local tax revenues of more than $426 million over the life of the Imperial Valley – North of SONGS project that can be used to help fund schools, parks and roads

 

Where will the project be located?

The proposed Imperial Valley – North of SONGS transmission line will be located in Southern California.

A detailed environmental assessment is being conducted to evaluate proposed routes, which will be shaped by input from stakeholders, environmental agencies, local governments, Indigenous Nations and other interested parties.

After an independent analysis and public input, the California Public Utilities Commission will issue the final determination on the transmission line route. 

 

What is your experience in the state of California?

Horizon West, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, currently owns and operates transmission assets in California and is a regulated public utility in the state.

Trans Bay Cable, another NextEra Energy Transmission subsidiary, owns and maintains a 53-mile, underground transmission line in the San Francisco Bay, which provides approximately 40% of the daily electrical power in San Francisco and surrounding areas.  

In addition, NextEra Energy Resources subsidiaries own and operate solar facilities, wind facilities and battery energy storage systems in more than 20 California counties. 

NextEra Energy Resources has been successfully developing renewable energy projects and transmission facilities in the state of California since 1989. We have invested nearly $10 billion in the state. We paid $34 million in property taxes in 2022 and are responsible for $22 million in annual payments to California landowners.

 

What is the expected schedule?

According to the CAISO 2022-2023 Transmission Plan, the Imperial Valley – North of SONGS Transmission Line and Substation is anticipated to be in service by 2034. The project schedule is subject to change based on regulatory approvals.