DENVER, Colorado (Feb. 6, 2020) – Xcel Energy—Colorado’s latest system upgrade is ready to bring customers more low-cost, clean energy now that the Pawnee-Daniels Park transmission line is complete and energized.
The new 125-mile, double circuit 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line runs between the Pawnee Substation near Brush, Colo. and the Daniels Park Substation south of the Denver-metro area. Construction began in 2017 with the last 20-mile segment between the new Harvest Mile Substation in Aurora and the Daniels Park Substation completed and energized in December 2019.
This project will help Xcel Energy achieve its goal of providing 80 percent carbon free energy by 2030 as it connects renewable energy sources, such as the Rush Creek Wind Farm, completed in 2018, and the Cheyenne Ridge Wind project, currently under construction, to the grid.
“The Pawnee-Daniels Park line is a critical pathway for moving power and meeting demands for the growing region supporting job creation and economic growth,” said Michael Lamb, senior vice president Transmission. “This investment in the electric grid will carry more renewable energy from the Eastern Plains and improve overall system reliability.”
Xcel Energy worked with city and county leaders in Aurora, Parker, Arapahoe County and Douglas County. More than 50 public meetings and presentations were held to help inform customers in communities along the transmission line route about the project.
Meanwhile, restoration work will get underway this spring and summer.
“We will still need to go back in and complete some last 230-kilovolt substation upgrades in Aurora and finish final restoration work in some areas along the transmission line right-of-way, and some of that will happen in the spring and summer,” said project manager Bob Anderson. “We can’t thank the communities and landowners enough for their support and patience during construction of this transmission line.”
More information about the Pawnee-Daniels Park (external link) project is available on our website.
Xcel Energy used a helicopter to help crews in stringing conductor lines on the Pawnee-Daniels Park 345 kV transmission line project in Aurora and Parker.
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About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
