Electricity – Facilities
Application
AltaLink Management Ltd. (“AML”) applied for a 240-kilovolt (“kV”) transmission line, designated as Transmission Line 1136L (“Line 1136L”). Line 1136L will be constructed from the Zachary 997S Substation at the Brooks Solar Farm to the Cassils 324S Substation.
Decision
The AUC decided that the project was in the public interest. Pursuant to ss. 14, 15, 18, and 19 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, the AUC approved the applications to construct and operate Line 1136L, alter and operate the Cassils 324S Substation, and connect Line 1136L to the Zachary 997S Substation.
Applicable Legislation
Alberta Utilities Commission Act, SA 2007, c A-37.2 – s 17.
Hydro and Electric Energy Act, RSA 2000, c H-16 – ss 14, 15, 18, and 19.
Pertinent Issues
Solar Krafte Utilities Inc. (“Solar Krafte”) has the approval to construct the Brooks Solar Farm (the “Solar Project”). To connect the Solar Project to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System, Solar Krafte requested system access from the Alberta Electric System Operator (“AESO”). In response to that request, the AESO filed a needs identification document (“NID”) application with the AUC proposing the construction of a transmission line to connect the Zachary 997S Substation to AML’s existing Cassils 324S Substation using a radial configuration.
Line 1136L and associated 35-meter-wide right-of-way would be located on privately-owned land, part of which is leased by AML. Construction of the approximately 200-meter-long line would require a temporary workspace on the east side of the right-of-way and include the installation of three H-frame single-circuit structures. AML also filed applications for approval to connect Line 1136L to Solar Krafte’s Zachary 997S Substation and add one 240-kV circuit breaker to the Cassils 324S Substation to accommodate the connection.
The AUC determined that the applications met the information requirements specified in Rule 007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System Designations, Hydro Developments and Gas Utility Pipelines (“Rule 007”). The proposed development is consistent with the need approved in Approval 27255-D01-2022 and meets the requirements of the AESO’s functional specification.
The AUC accepted that AML can minimize the environmental effects of Line 1136L and that there will be no significant adverse environmental effects.
