American Transmission Co.'s 10-year plan to address the need for electric grid improvements highlights projects that are driven by sustainable energy generation proposals along with ongoing asset maintenance for achieving the highest standards in reliability, efficiency and safety.
"Our long-term planning efforts require flexibility to support an evolving, sustainable energy future," said Andy Dolan, vice president of system planning. "We have seen over 2,200 megawatts of fossil-fueled generation retire in our footprint since the beginning of 2018; meanwhile, we are studying proposals from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator to connect over 8,200 megawatts of solar generation and almost 1,500 megawatts of wind generation. To plan a robust transmission system, we're analyzing the trends of this changing generation mix to best meet the needs of our owners and energy consumers."
Specifically, the plan calls for expenditures of $1.8 billion in asset maintenance, $0.2 billion in regional Multi-Value Projects, $0.4 billion in network projects and between $0.5 billion and $1.1 billion in other capital expenditures.
"Our asset maintenance projects are driven by the need to address aging infrastructure initially installed decades ago," said Jim Vespalec, director of asset planning and engineering. "Overall, project expenditures in the 2020 plan reflect the measures necessary to maintain and reinforce the system and upgrade its resiliency."
Formed in 2001 as the nation's first multi-state transmission-only utility, American Transmission Co. is a Wisconsin-based company that owns and operates 9,921 miles of electric transmission lines and 577 substations in portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois. Our transmission network enables the movement of electricity produced from all forms of generation resources to areas where it is needed - helping to keep the lights on, businesses running and communities strong.
