More stable electricity for the Stettler area is part of a plan by ATCO Electric to construct about 40 kilometers of new transmission line between Stettler and west to Nevis.
“Several route options are being considered for this project,” said Paul Goguen, vice-president of Hanna projects, as the plans were presented at open house sessions June 2 and June 7 in Stettler.
“The Nevis-to-Stettler transmission project is part of the larger Hanna region transmission development.”
“Growth in the area is causing a need for more infrastructure,” said Goguen.
ATCO Electric is currently consulting with landowners and agencies.
“We want to hear from customers, and then we will take the information and comments to help us determine what the best possible preferred route will be,” he said.
Selection of the preferred site and route options and submission of the facilities to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) are scheduled for this summer.
“If approval is granted by the AUC, we hope construction will start in spring 2011 with the facilities completed and operating in June 2012,” said Goguen.
Under the plan, the existing Nevis substation located three kilometers north of Nevis will be expanded and surrounded by a fence in an area measuring 80 meters by 100 meters and the substation will require the addition of on 144 kilovolt (kV) circuit breaker and related support equipment and structures.
For the Stettler substation located about five kilometers southeast of the Town of Stettler, ATCO would expand the facility and fence an area about 60 meters by 90 meters and the substation will require the addition of one 144/72 kV transformer, one 144/25 kV transformer, one 144 kV capacitor bank, one 72 kV circuit breaker, four 144 kV circuit breakers, one 16-meter telecommunications tower and related support equipment and structure.
If approved, this line will consist of three conductor wires and two overhead shield wires strung on an H-frame structure about 21 meters tall with the base about five meters wide while the typical distance between structures will range from 150 to 260 meters.
Option routes have been selected that avoid homes and minimize impacts on residences, built-up areas, agriculture and significant vegetation, gas operations, highways, communications facilities, environmentally sensitive areas and historic sites, according to Goguen.
For more information, contact Deb Nelson, environmental right of way planner, by phoning toll free to 1-866-600-0022, or email to consultation-HRTD@atcoelectric.com.