The Project: Details
Updated July 26, 2010
The proposed Western Alberta Transmission Line project:
• Is a 500 kV (500,000 volts) line.
• Will be built between the Genesee and Langdon areas.
• Will be 325 to 375 kilometres depending on the final route.
• Will include a converter station at each end of the line that changes electricity from
DC to Alternating Current (AC), so the DC line can connect with the rest of the
province’s AC system.
Direct Current technology
A Direct Current (DC) line is different from a traditional Alternating Current (AC) line because the current continually flows in the same direction, similar to the current in a flashlight or automobile battery. DC lines are new to Alberta but are in operation in Manitoba, Québec and many other parts of the world.
DC lines:
• Can transport large amounts of power more efficiently than AC lines.
• Have smaller structures than the majority of 500 kV AC lines.
• Are scalable, meaning the amount of power the line is able to carry can be increased by adding equipment at each end of the line.
For more information about DC lines, please read the Facts about Direct Current Transmission Lines.
Structure types
There are two possible structure types that can be used for this project – lattice and tubular.
Download full resolution lattice structure image
Download full resolution tubular structure image
We are only considering tubular structures for Greenfield route options (areas with no other transmission lines) and we will discuss this option with stakeholders to determine if we should include this option as an alternative to lattice structures in our Facilities Application.
We are not considering tubular structures for any proposed routes that parallel existing lines because we’ve heard from stakeholders that farming around paralleled lines with different span lengths (space between structures) would be a major inconvenience.
Project schedule
Activities completed
| Winter/Spring 2010 | First stage of consultation - included open houses, information centres and one-on-one consultation as requested by stakeholders. |
| Spring 2010 | Used stakeholder feedback to refine potential routes. |
Activities planned
| Summer/Fall 2010 | Second stage of consultation - includes open houses, information centres and one-on-one consultation with stakeholders who have property or reside on or directly adjacent to the refined route options. |
| Fall 2010 | Use stakeholder feedback to help us identify preferred and alternate route options. We will continue to consult and communicate with stakeholders throughout the application process, as well as with affected stakeholders during any future construction process. |
| December 2010/ February 2011 |
Determine preferred and alternate route options and file application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). |
| Spring 2011 to Winter 2012 |
AUC process: the AUC will review our application for completeness, schedule and notify stakeholders of the project hearing, conduct the hearing and can either approve, approve with conditions or deny the application. |
| *Summer 2012 | Anticipated construction start date, pending the AUC decision. |
| *Fall 2014 | Anticipated construction completion date. |
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*These steps will only occur if our Facilities Application is approved by the AUC. If the AUC approves the project, we will continue to communicate and consult with stakeholders beyond the application process into the construction stage.
Project cost
The estimated cost of this project is approximately $1.1 billion, which is accurate within 30 per cent. This means the range of the project cost is between $770 million and $1.43 billion. A $1.1 billion project would represent $1.10 per month on the typical residential utility bill.
We expect to have updated cost information, which will be accurate within 10 to 20 per cent, after we’ve identified a preferred route and the detailed engineering work has progressed. This will be included in our Facilities Application to the Alberta Utilities Commission.
