Projects

AltaLink is working on more than 600 projects to ensure Albertans receive safe and reliable electricity.

Connecting wind power — Albertans now have access to twice as much wind power as a result of AltaLink’s Southwest 240 kV Project. Energized in October 2010, this 90-kilometre transmission line between Pincher Creek and Lethbridge allows for 1,000 megawatts of wind‐generated electricity to reach homes and businesses throughout the province. That’s equal to powering 1,600 homes each month.

Participation of the local First Nations communities, the Piikani and Blood, was essential to the success of the project. Significant employment was created by this project and more than 80 Alberta businesses supplied services or materials.

Improving system reliability — AltaLink’s Western Alberta Transmission Line Project is a 500 kV direct current transmission line between the Edmonton and Calgary areas. This line will improve the reliability and efficiency of the electrical system. AltaLink began consulting with stakeholders about this project in early 2010. We filed an application with our preferred and alternate route with the AUC in March 2011. If the line is approved, construction will begin in 2012 and will be in service by 2014.

Powering our industrial heartland — The Heartland Transmission Project involves the construction of a double-circuit 500 kV transmission line which will connect the Heartland region (northeast of Fort Saskatchewan) to existing 500 kV transmission facilities either west of Edmonton or in southern Edmonton. AltaLink and EPCOR jointly submitted its preferred and alternate route to the AUC in September 2010. The AUC hearing is scheduled to begin in April 2011.

Meeting demand for renewable electricity — Alberta’s electrical system needs more capacity to deliver electricity generated from wind farm projects proposed in southern Alberta. To support this growth, AltaLink is working on a series of projects called the Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement (SATR). The projects that make up SATR are in different stages from conceptual design to consultation with stakeholders and the filing of facility applications.

Upgrading the transmission highway — In 2010, AltaLink submitted more than 100 facility applications to the AUC for important transmission system upgrades to support growing communities and industry throughout central and southern Alberta.

Learn more about our projects at albertaelectricityfuture.ca