This week the Sunrise Powerlink went online, transporting power to San Diego.
However, the line that is set to take Imperial County-based renewable energy to the coast isn’t yet transporting that locally generated power.
None of the projects that San Diego Gas & Electric has contracts with have finished construction, though a few of the eight are under way, said SDG&E spokeswoman Jennifer Ramp. The electrical utility in San Diego has signed eight contracts for wind and solar power in Imperial County, making up more than 1,000 megawatts of power.
It’s enough energy to power 650,000 homes.
Power is flowing now though, as the California Independent System Operator Corporation has taken control of the line, she said. The CalISO is the agency that manages most of the statewide grid.
The power now running through the lines is a traditional mix of power, possibly some small renewable and natural gas power, said Steven Greenlee from the California Independent System Operator. That power is coming from a variety of places, like Arizona, but not Mexico. Power from Mexico is on a different pathway.
But of course the line was built to transport renewable power from Imperial County to San Diego, he said. Once those resources are built, they will be added onto the transmission line. Things are timing out right, and until those renewables come online, there will be traditional generation on the line.
“We’ve got to keep it warmed up,” he said.
Staff Writer Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
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