COLUMBUS, Ohio—(AVC News)—A joint venture is being launched in an effort to improve Ohio’s electric grid system by improving transmission capacity and reliability.
The proposed project, still under development, calls for the construction of approximately 190 miles of high voltage transmission lines stretching from western Ohio to Eastern Ohio, including Guernsey County.
The project, as it currently stands, consists of separate West and East line segments, that is being developed by Grid Growth Ventures (Grid Growth), a joint venture of Transource Energy LLC (jointly owned by American Electric Power and Evergy) and FirstEnergy Transmission LLC.
Grid Growth West includes two new 765-kV transmission lines and one 345-kV double-circuit transmission line across Darke, Shelby, Miami, Champaign, Clark, Madison, Union and Franklin counties.
Grid Growth East includes two new 765-kV electric transmission lines in Pickaway, Fairfield, Coshocton, Muskingum and Guernsey counties.
AVC News Photo; Proposed Grid Growth East Lines (map courtesy of Grid Growth Ventures website)
Reports say the Grid Growth East line was further divided into two separate proposed projects:
The Adkins–West Millersport 765-kV Transmission Line Project, consisting of approximately 42 miles of transmission line connecting the Adkins Substation in Pickaway County and the West Millersport Substation in Fairfield County.
The Conesville–Guernsey 765-kV Transmission Line Project, consisting of approximately 32 miles of transmission line connecting the Conesville Substation in Coshocton County and the Guernsey Substation in Guernsey County.
Typical 765-kV structures are about 175 feet tall with a typical right-of-way width of approximately 180 feet.
PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization was selected the project in February and forecasts nearly 4,800 megawatts of new regional demand by 2032, much of it from data centers.
Grid Grown Ventures stress that no transmission line routes have been finalized and the project must be approved by the Ohio Power Sitting Board before commencing construction.
The group has set up a number of public open houses which will include project updates in the area.
- The first, in Guernsey County on September 21 from 4 until 7: 30 pm at the Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge.
- The second area open house is on September 29. also from 4 to 7:30 pm in Zanesville at the Muskingum County Fair Grounds.
- The third area open house will take place on September 29, from 4 to 7:30 pm at the Lake Park Pavilion in Coshocton.
Utility companies typically base their grid investments on demand projections, with many predicting Ohio’s needs to skyrocket in the coming years.
PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization was selected the Grid Growth Project back in February, amid some forecasts calling for nearly 4,800 megawatts of new regional demand by 2032.
Reports say the state’s largest regulated electric utility, American Electric Power’s Ohio Power Co., anticipates demand will nearly triple over the next decade.
However, critics, including the Ohio Consumer Council, say those electrical use predictions figures are questionable, adding that costly upgrades may not be needed. Upgrades that consumers would ultimately end up paying for.
Reports indicate that at least one county, Miami County along with their two State Representatives have pushed back against the plans, citing the impact to farmland, future development and concerns from property owners.
For additional project information, upcoming open house dates and project updates, visit GridGrowthVentures.com.
