A 400-mile transmission project backed by Invenergy now has the formal support of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority and a plan to launch operations by 2028.
The New Mexico North Path line would support up to 4 GW of renewable energy produced in the northeastern portion of the state, moving it into the growing Four Corners region. RETA and Invenergy Transmission agreed to coordinate on a project feasibility study and initial public outreach for the line in 2021, and on Thursday RETA’s board voted to formally make the transmission line a public-private partnership.
“New Mexico has some of the best wind and solar energy potential in the United States,” RETA Chairman Robert Busch said in a statement. The New Mexico North Path transmission line “represents a critically needed pathway for moving low-cost clean energy to consumers across the state and region.”
New Mexico lawmakers formed RETA in 2007 to facilitate the development of electric transmission and storage projects.
“After a promising feasibility study and initial public outreach, RETA and Invenergy Transmission are proud to partner together on development of the New Mexico North Path project,” Busch said.
Development of the transmission line will create 3,500 jobs, and its operation will require 100 permanent positions.
The line will generate “tens of millions of dollars in annual tax payments to tribal, state, and local governments,” RETA and Invenergy said in a statement. It will also help the state to achieve a 50% renewable energy standard by 2030.
“Projects like this require true partnerships to be successful, and this agreement between RETA and Invenergy Transmission represents an important early milestone “ said Will Consuegra, director of transmission development at Invenergy.
