Critical grid infrastructure to connect the West
The TransWest Express Transmission Project is a high-voltage interregional electric transmission system developed by TransWest Express LLC. The TWE Project is critical new infrastructure that will deliver electricity generated by renewable resources and will strengthen the power grid that serves the Western United States. For example, the TWE Project can reliably deliver cost-effective renewable wind energy produced in Wyoming to the Desert Southwest region (California, Nevada, Arizona), providing much-needed zero-carbon electricity to millions of homes and businesses every year. Wyoming’s high-capacity wind energy resources complement the Desert Southwest's renewables, offering geographic diversity to help this region not only save money but also achieve GHG emissions reduction goals.
The dotted line indicates the approximate route of this transmission line project, from the Marketplace Hub in Nevada to south-central Wyoming, with a terminal near Delta, Utah. The TWE Project aligns with regional transmission development objectives set forth in an April 2005 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the governors of Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California.
By the numbers
- 732 miles of high-voltage transmission infrastructure consisting of two systems: a 500kV direct current (DC) system with terminals near Sinclair, Wyo., and Delta, Utah; and a 500kV alternating current (AC) system from the Utah terminal to southern Nevada.
- $3 billion estimated cost
- DC system terminals to be phased over time from 1,500 MW to 3,000 MW of transmission capacity
Project updates
- March 16, 2022: Initial transmission capacity allocation process is complete
- Dec. 3, 2021: TransWest files its post-Open Solicitation compliance report
EIS websites
BLM and WAPA are joint lead agencies that prepared an Environmental Impact Statement for the TWE Project. USFS was a cooperating agency. Each federal agency has an EIS-related site:
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Federal focus
Federal "Rapid Response Team for Transmission" selects TWE Project
• See Permitting Dashboard page
In the news
"Renewable energy like wind and solar are a major piece of the climate puzzle, but building a more resilient and efficient electrical grid is critical to our success."
- Patricia Hoffman, Acting Assistant Secretary for DOE Office of Electricity, April 22, 2021