XIV. Phase 6, Transmission needs in the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area

The Energy Commission (CEC) has identified 4000MW of potential wind generation in the Tehachapi area in Kern County and an additional 500MW south of Tehachapi in Los Angeles County. The purpose of Phase 6 is to define and then construct the transmission infrastructure necessary to transmit this power to load centers. In Decision 04-06-010 the Commission staff, to be assisted by the CAISO as needed, was assigned the task of coordinating a nine-month study "to develop a comprehensive development plan for the phased expansion of transmission capabilities in the Tehachapi area." Each phase will trigger an application by SCE for a CPCN for construction of facilities defined in that phase. Because the lead time for transmission is longer than for generation, the challenge for the planners is to provide incremental transmission such that new generation has access to load as it comes on line, without building transmission that will not be used. A report on the study's findings will be filed by SCE on 3/9/05.

In addition, SCE is required to file by 12/9/04 an application for a CPCN for the construction of the first phase of the Tehachapi transmission. On 9/1/04 SCE filed a report stating that by 12/9/04 it would file a complete CPCN application for a transmission line to accommodate wind generation in the Los Angeles County area and "...as much of the CPCN application information as it has completed..." for the first phase of the Tehachapi transmission.

PG&E says that it will "examine a number of economically-driven projects...in accordance with Decision 04-06-010" [Tehachapi]. SCE describes the development of transmission for Tehachapi in its Renewable Conceptual Transmission Plan, dated August, 2003. This plan is being currently reviewed and revised in this phase of the proceeding.

The intention of this phase of the proceeding is to define and bring about the timely construction of the transmission infrastructure required to connect the Tehachapi and Los Angeles County wind power to load centers.