CenterPoint Energy said that it will build new and expand existing electric transmission infrastructure to provide the 656 MWs needed to serve the Freeport LNG export project currently under construction on Quintana Island in Brazoria County.
The approximately $80 million transmission project includes a new 345/138kV substation and multiple 138kV transmission system upgrades.
In 2014, CenterPoint Energy submitted a proposal to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to meet the increased needs of the project. Earlier this month, the ERCOT board of directors endorsed the proposed transmission project which is expected to be completed in mid-2017. Operations at the Freeport LNG facility are expected to commence in 2018.
The significant new load at Freeport LNG’s project also underscores the need for CenterPoint Energy’s planned Houston import project. ERCOT identified the proposed line as critical to provide an additional power supply into the Houston area by summer 2018.
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Image: Freeport LNG