CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Appalachian Power plans to begin work soon on a new transmission project to increase reliability during extreme temperatures for customers in Cabell and Lincoln counties.
The project is a $20 million investment in the company’s transmission grid and includes building a substation and about four miles of transmission line.
After a few hard winters reliability has become a top concern for the company, Appalachian Power spokesman Phil Moye said.
“The purpose of the project is to improve reliability during extreme weather periods when demand is highest on our system,” Moye said. “In 2014, when we had the polar vortex, during those extreme winter weather temperatures, we identified the need in a couple of spots for additional transmission lines.”
The new transmission line originates from an existing line just south of Culloden. The line runs southwest through Cabell County, crossing Charleys Creek and Little Two Mile Creek roads.
Lines have to be repaired every now and then to ensure reliability in extreme cold or heat, Moye said.
“When a line is too heavily loaded, we risk losing that line under extreme weather conditions, whether that’s extremely cold weather or hot weather,” Moye said. “When we see the demand getting up to the line’s limit, we look at ways that we can fix that and make sure it continues to be reliable.”
Construction is expected to start in the fall 2016 and be completed by the end of 2017. Moye explained that any effects on rates should be down the road, and would be small.
“We really won’t file for any recovery of the costs for that until the project is completed. It’s going to be a while down the road before we see any rate impact. But even when we do, you’re talking pennies,” Moye said.
Additional information about the project, including maps, structure photos and a timeline, can be found at http://www.aeptransmission.com/westvirginia/SECabell/.