May 14, 2007
Pennsylvania

Penelec, Gamesa vote near; Wind farms would be linked to electric transmission grid

The keepers of the regional power supply may vote next month on Penelec proposals to link area wind farms into the electric transmission grid.

About $13 million in projects are planned, mostly in Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties, as wind farms associated with Gamesa Energy USA sprout up.

A committee of PJM Interconnection received an update last week on the utility’s projects in Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties.

Utility companies make proposals to PJM, which conducts feasibility studies to estimate interconnection costs and construction time. The Transportation Expansion Advisory Committee must authorize new connections to the power grid before the PJM board gives its approval.

The PJM board is set to meet June 21.

“We’ve been working with Gamesa on various aspects of their wind projects and will continue to do that with Gamesa and with any of the other wind energy companies as we are required to do,” Penelec spokeswoman Beverly Green said Friday. “After that approval, any action on our part would begin.”

Some plans call to upgrade the Claysburg 115-kilovolt substation and Altoona’s 230-kilovolt transmission line, according to a document posted on the PJM Web site. Penelec also wants to make upgrades to the transmission system in Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier.

Penelec will sign an interconnection service agreement with PJM and Gamesa after the final approval.

PJM oversees the power grid serving 51 million people in Pennsylvania, 12 other states and the District of Columbia.

By Mark Leberfinger

altoonamirror.com


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/05/14/penelec-gamesa-vote-near-wind-farms-would-be-linked-to-electric-transmission-grid/