Alberta utility receives approval for transmission line

​ATCO Electric has received approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission AUC to build the Eastern Alberta Transmission Line. The 500-kilovolt direct current line, and its associated converter stations and facilities, extends from the Gibbons area northeast of Edmonton to an area near Brooks in southeast Alberta. It adds additional capacity to Alberta’s existing electricity transmission system.

In developing the application, ATCO Electric conducted an extensive public engagement process that included information campaigns, open houses and thousands of individual meetings with landowners. The information gained through this process was instrumental in defining the preferred and alternate routes submitted by ATCO Electric and, ultimately, the route approved by the AUC.

“I want to extend my thanks to the landowners that participated in the process. The decision is the result of three years of hard work and consultation and directly reflects the input that we received throughout the process,” said Sett Policicchio, President, ATCO Electric Capital Projects Division. “We look forward to continuing to work together with these landowners and the communities of eastern Alberta as we begin to build this critically important piece of infrastructure for Alberta.”

When complete, the Eastern Alberta Transmission Line will reinforce the reliability, increase the capacity and improve the efficiency of the Alberta grid. The line will help meet the growing demand for electricity in the province, allowing it to flow from where it is generated to where it is needed.