Needs Identification Document – Facility Application
In this decision, the AUC approved the needs identification document (“NID”) application from the Alberta Electric Systems Operator (“AESO”) for the need to connect the Cascade Power Plant to the Alberta Interconnected Electrical System (“AIES”). The AUC further approved the applications from AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AltaLink”) to relocate a portion of existing transmission lines, to alter the Bickerdike 29s Substation, and to construct and operate three single-circuit 240 kilovolt (“kV”) transmission lines.
Discussion
NID Application
The AESO stated that it received a system access service request from Cascade Power Project Limited Partnership to connect the approved 900-megawatt (“MW”) Cascade Power Plant and the associated Whisky Jack 1047S Substation to the transmission system in the Edson area. The AESO submitted that the request could be met by adding three 240-kV transmission lines from the Whisky Jack 1047S Substation to the existing Bickerdike 39S Substation and modifying the Bickerdike 39S Substation.
Facility Applications
AltaLink proposed to:
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Construct and operate three single-circuit, 240 kV transmission lines designated as transmission lines 1084L, 1135L and 1168L, from Cascade Power’s approved Whisky Jack 1047S Substation to AltaLink’s existing Bickerdike 39S Substation;
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Relocate between 200 and 800 metres of the existing 973L, 974L, 874L, and 740L transmission lines; and
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Alter the existing Bickerdike 39S Substation by adding four 240 kV circuit breakers and expanding the fence line of the substation.
AltaLink estimated the cost of the project to be $16.1 million with all costs allocated to Cascade Power. The target in-service date for the project is March 25, 2022.
Findings
The AUC was satisfied that the NID application filed by the AESO contains all the information required by the Electric Utilities Act (“EUA”), the Transmission Regulation, and Rule 007. The AUC considered the AESO’s assessment of the need to be in accordance with subsection 38(e) of the Transmission Regulation, and approved the AESO’s NID application.
The AUC found that the facility applications filed by AltaLink complied with the information requirements prescribed in Rule 007. The facility applications were also consistent with the need identified in the AESO’s NID application.
The AUC was satisfied that the joint participant involvement program undertaken by the AESO and AltaLink met the requirements of Rule 007.
Pursuant to Section 34 of the EUA, the AUC approved the need outlined in NID Application 25689-A001 of the AESO. Pursuant to sections 14, 15, 18, and 19 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, the AUC approved the facility applications of AltaLink.
