Work begins on 240-mile New Mexico transmission line

Xcel Energy recently announced that work has begun southeast New Mexico on a 240-mile high-voltage transmission line project that will link New Mexico and Texas as part of Xcel Energy’s Power for the
Plains initiative.

The first segment of the project to be worked on is a 90-mile line between Hobbs and the new China Draw substation located southeast of Carlsbad, which is expected to cost approximately $163 million.

“This is fantastic news for the people of New Mexico,” New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Patrick Lyons said.

Approximately 250 workers will be involved in the development of the line, and the project is expected to cost $400 million, according to Commissioner Lyons.

The project will be completed in three segments from the Hobbs Plant Substation to the new Kiowa Substation located about 15 miles northeast of Carlsbad, from the Kiowa Substation to the new North Loving Substation, located about eight miles southeast of Carlsbad and from the North Loving Substation to the China Draw Substation.

Since 2011, Xcel Energy has added over 800 miles of new transmission lines in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma as part of its Power for the Plains initiative. It plans to add more than 700 additional miles through 2021.

Xcel energy has also built or upgraded more than 10 substations since 2011 as part of the program and plans to have more than 25 substations built or upgraded through 2021.