In determining where to locate new energy infrastructure, TEP considers the projected energy needs of nearby residential and commercial customers, anticipated economic development, proximity to existing equipment, project costs, geography, the environment, public input and other factors. Transmission lines link substations that change the voltage of electric facilities for distribution and delivery of electric service to area customers.
TEP is evaluating potential transmission line routes within a defined study area that could interconnect existing and planned substations that include:
- Kino Substation: TEP is building a new substation at the southeast corner of South Kino Parkway and East 36th Street to accommodate growing energy demands and support expected economic development in the area. The substation will occupy about 4.5 acres. Construction began in September 2019. The substation is scheduled to be in service in 2020.
- UA North Substation: This planned substation will tie into TEP’s 138 kV transmission system to accommodate increased energy demands in the area. It also will help maintain reliable service by supporting the eventual retirement of aging, lower capacity 46 kV substations.
- DeMoss-Petrie (DMP) Substation: Located near Interstate 10 and West Grant Road, the substation serves as the point of
interconnection for several high-voltage transmission lines and natural gas generating resources and an energy storage system.
TEP will use input from customers, stakeholders and other members of the public to identify potential alternative transmission line routes within the study area. Members of the community will have additional opportunities to comment on these potential alternative routes in the future.
The Kino to DeMoss-Petrie line will cross private property and utilize road right of way within the City of Tucson. Interconnecting the Kino Substation and planned UA North Substation to the existing DeMoss-Petrie Substation will strengthen reliability by adding redundancy, allowing TEP to deliver energy from more than one direction.
TEP would build the line with self-weathering steel monopoles that stand between 75-110 feet tall. Taller structures may be required at major road or line crossings.
