The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) has unanimously approved a transmission plan that will ensure electric reliability in the Permian Basin, one of the major energy regions in the United States.
The Permian Basin Electric Reliability Plan
The plan aims to meet the growing demand for electricity in the area, driven by the expansion of the oil and gas industry and the development of the communities living in the area.
[post_relacionado]Led by Commissioner Lori Cobos, the plan lays out a roadmap for the construction of new transmission infrastructure, which will be critical to supporting the electrification of the region and ensuring long-term energy security. The Permian Basin is the energy heart of Texas and the country. This plan ensures that the region remains a key player in the state and national economy. “, Cobos explained.
The bill’s approval is in response to Texas House Bill 5066 , which directed the PUCT and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas ( ERCOT ) to develop a plan to expand the transmission grid in the Permian Basin. The legislation prioritizes the extension of electric service in areas rich in mineral resources, the creation of infrastructure to increase energy capacity, and the reduction of interconnection times in areas without access to the grid.
ERCOT, meanwhile, estimates that electricity demand in the Permian Basin could reach 26 GW by 2038, which would represent approximately one-third of all of Texas’ summer electricity demand. To meet this forecast, the PUCT-approved plan includes both the construction of new local transmission lines and the creation of additional pathways to import electricity from other regions of Texas.
The plan will benefit the oil and gas industry and local communities experiencing rapid growth. The PUCT has set clear guidelines for transmission companies to begin construction of the necessary projects, and the commission will oversee their proper implementation.
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Source and photo: PUCT