New York Transco begins construction on 54.5 mile transmission line in upstate NY
Construction began on a $530 million project to upgrade energy transmission from Rensselaer County to Dutchess County in New York State.
The project, called the New York Energy Solution energy project, is a 54.5 mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line owned and developed by New York Transco, which is part-owned by National Grid Ventures. The line is designed to increase transmission capacity and help deliver more renewable energy to higher-demand areas across the state.
“The development of a clean, reliable transmission system for New York is key to combatting climate change and achieving our nation-leading clean energy goals,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “This project is an integral part of a new energy superhighway that’s being built to move electricity across the state more efficiently – while also creating new jobs and opportunities for New Yorkers that will help to reinvigorate our local and statewide economies.”
The first phase of construction activities began at the Churchtown Switching Station in Claverack, Columbia County. It includes the installation of a temporary bypass electric line and rebuilding of the existing Churchtown Switching Station. The developer is currently seeking approvals for Phase II work.
The line will be built in existing electric transmission corridors or on adjacent utility-owned land in the Town of Schodack in Rensselaer County; the Towns of Stuyvesant, Stockport, Ghent, Claverack, Livingston, Gallatin, and Clermont in Columbia County; and the Towns of Milan, Clinton, and Pleasant Valley in Dutchess County. The project is anticipated to be in-service by the end of 2023.
“We are very excited to begin construction of this historic project and thank Governor Cuomo for his vision and dedication to bolster New York State’s transmission network. We also greatly appreciate all the time, effort, and coordination with the local communities to get this project to this major milestone,” New York Transco President Victor Mullin said.
Transco will work with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to replace and upgrade existing transmission infrastructure in portions of Rensselaer, Columbia, and Dutchess counties. When completed, it will relieve transmission system bottlenecks and facilitate a more efficient and reliable flow of renewable energy from upstate resources to customers.
