Arizona regulators have given the green light for the $2bn, 3GW SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, which is intended to boost wind and solar development in New Mexico and Arizona and deliver it to customers in western markets.
The Arizona Corporation Commission this week voted 3-2 to approve its construction in the state.
The project faces one last hurdle in New Mexico, where the state Public Regulatory Commission must approve a permit, following a public hearing.
The project will feature two parallel 500kV transmission lines between Lincoln County, New Mexico and Pinal County, Arizona, covering some 515 miles.
The US Bureau of Land Management in 2015 approved SunZia’s application for a right-of-way across federally owned property, finding that the project complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
SunZia expects to achieve commercial operation in 2021.
Image: a PNM wind farm in New Mexico (PNM)
