The Salt River Project (SRP) had a distance problem. As part owner of one of the largest nuclear power plants in the United States, SRP needed a transmission line that would span the 150 miles between the plant and a substation. Adding urgency to the need was a location that was demanding more and more energy – the rapidly growing Phoenix, Ariz., area.

SRP’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station produces more than 30,000 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. It serves nearly 4 million people in Phoenix and Southern California. Black & Veatch was tapped to provide detailed engineering design services for a new 150-mile 500 kV line between Palo Verde and SRP’s Browning Substation.

The line provides new and increased access to the energy market at the Palo Verde Hub located near the Palo Verde plant. This project represents one of the longest transmission line projects in North America. Resources and expertise from multiple Black & Veatch offices enabled the company to handle the magnitude of the project and its timetable.

The transmission line includes about 50 miles of 500 kV single-circuit lattice towers. The remaining 100 miles consist of tubular steel poles. Some portions of the tubular steel segment includes a mix of single-circuit 500 kV and double-circuit 500/230 kV.

SRP held multiple hearings and meetings to address environment concerns. They also researched cultural and historical sites along the route. As a result, Black & Veatch designed tower locations to span sensitive sites and mitigate impact.