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Westar Energy announced Wednesday plans to build several transmission lines across the state in the next decade to improve transmission of electricity from renewable energy sources.
A new state law requiring utilities to produce more electricity from renewable sources made it necessary to improve the electric grid, Westar officials said.
"Kansas is finding many wind projects stymied by limited transmission capacity," said Kelly Harrison, Westar's vice president of transmission operations and environmental services.
Westar did not set a timetable for any project. The projects will be coordinated by the Southwest Power Pool, an organization with members in Kansas and eight other states. The Kansas Corporation Commission would have to approve any new lines, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
The proposed projects include a 70-mile line from Jeffrey Energy Center near St. Marys to the Iatan Energy Center near Atchison; a 90-mile line from Jeffrey to Manhattan and Concordia; and a 45-mile line from Jeffrey to Osage County, north of Overbrook.
Other proposed projects include a 40-mile line from the Wolf Creek nuclear plant near Burlington to Emporia; a 60-mile line from Concordia to Salina; a 100-mile line from Salina to Hays; a 160-mile line from Hutchinson to Great Bend to Spearville, and an 80-mile line from Wichita to Rose Hill.
Westar Energy announced Wednesday plans to build several transmission lines across the state in the next decade to improve transmission of electricity from renewable energy sources.
A new state law requiring utilities to produce more electricity from renewable sources made it necessary to improve the electric grid, Westar officials said.
"Kansas is finding many wind projects stymied by limited transmission capacity," said Kelly Harrison, Westar's vice president of transmission operations and environmental services.
Westar did not set a timetable for any project. The projects will be coordinated by the Southwest Power Pool, an organization with members in Kansas and eight other states. The Kansas Corporation Commission would have to approve any new lines, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
The proposed projects include a 70-mile line from Jeffrey Energy Center near St. Marys to the Iatan Energy Center near Atchison; a 90-mile line from Jeffrey to Manhattan and Concordia; and a 45-mile line from Jeffrey to Osage County, north of Overbrook.
Other proposed projects include a 40-mile line from the Wolf Creek nuclear plant near Burlington to Emporia; a 60-mile line from Concordia to Salina; a 100-mile line from Salina to Hays; a 160-mile line from Hutchinson to Great Bend to Spearville, and an 80-mile line from Wichita to Rose Hill.
