Dominion Energy Virginia, American Electric Power and FirstEnergy have announced a joint planning agreement to propose several new regional transmission projects within the PJM footprint, which spans multiple states in the US.
This initiative aligns with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) call for efficient and cost-effective regional transmission development.
In September, the companies submitted their proposals through PJM's Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) Open Window process.
PJM, the regional transmission organisation, oversees the movement of wholesale electricity in a 13-state region that includes Virginia.
The proposed projects encompass several new 765kV, 500kV and 345kV transmission lines in Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia.
These projects are in the preliminary phase. If PJM selects them, the companies will embark on a detailed, multi-year process involving route selection, environmental studies, community engagement and obtaining necessary permits before construction can begin.
Dominion Energy Virginia president Ed Baine said: “This dynamic environment requires more regional collaboration to develop large-scale 'backbone' transmission infrastructure that spans across the areas served by our three companies.
“By leveraging the expertise and resources of three industry leaders whose transmission zones border one another, we are better able to develop superior and more cost-effective solutions required to effectively resolve reliability issues across the PJM region.
“These projects are more comprehensive and will be more effective than what each of our companies would be able to develop individually.”
Each company has also put forward individual proposals for other transmission projects, maintaining their historical participation in PJM's open windows.
AEP Regulated Infrastructure Investment Planning senior vice-president Bob Bradish said: “AEP operates the largest transmission network in the nation and has more experience building 765kV infrastructure than any other company in the US.
“The solutions we have proposed to address the rapidly evolving energy demand we are seeing across the region will enable us to continue providing reliable service and drive economic growth.”
