Peetz Interconnect & Transmission Line

FPL Energy

INTERCONNECTING UTILITY:

Xcel Energy

RMT'S ROLE:

• Engineering, procurement, and construction of Peetz Interconnect 230 kV transmission line 78 miles from Brush, Colorado, to FPL wind farm ring buss
• Engineering, procurement, and construction of Peetz Table 230 kV transmission line 22 miles from FPL wind farm ring buss to wind farm collector substation

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Successfully managed difficult construction conditions resulting from sandy, low cohesion soils by installing 477 poles in 48-inch diameter x 13-foot deep steel caissons; deadend structures in some cases had as many as 12 anchor extensions to achieve the 5,500-pound anchor torque required to secure the structure
• Protected the sensitive environment through the use of non-track vehicles during construction or special four-wheel drive tractors for towing all equipment into the area
• Performed much of the stringing and clipping via helicopter to minimize environmental impacts
• Developed new vendor relationships and resources to successfully obtain the materials necessary to complete the project despite severe winter storms
• Facilitated the completion of remaining landowner agreements with client to ensure timely project completion
• Provided ongoing energy, environmental, and economic benefits:
  • Generates enough electricity to power approximately 118,378 homes annually
  • Offsets the combustion of approximately 547,033 tons of coal per year, which reduces the equivalent of 720,000 tons of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere annually
  • Provides income to local landowners through annual lease payments