Experts from North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives recently joined utility representatives and stakeholders from across the state for the annual N.C. Transmission Planning Collaborative baseline study report presentation. The Collaborative identifies major reliability projects in coordination with partners from ElectriCities and Duke Energy to further strengthen the state’s electric system and build resilience as the grid evolves and population grows.
“Participation with the North Carolina Transmission Planning Collaborative provides greater transparency and the opportunity to provide input into the transmission planning process,” said Bob Beadle, director of grid infrastructure for North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are best served by planning for future enhancements when cost effectiveness and reliability are optimized. The Collaborative strengthens that opportunity for the co-ops.”
Electric cooperatives lead the planning process every few years as participants in the Collaborative’s oversight, planning and stakeholder groups.
The Collaborative was established in 2005 to provide stakeholders an opportunity to participate in the electric transmission planning process for the state and develop a single coordinated transmission plan that includes reliability. The group’s priority is to appropriately balance costs, benefits and risks associated with the use of transmission and generation resources.
This year, the Collaborative identified 16 major projects representing more than $694 million in investments expected to be implemented over the next decade to advance the state’s electric transmission infrastructure. The projects identified in the plan preserve system reliability and resiliency, support the growth of sustainable energy options and improve electricity transfers across the transmission network.
Since its inception, more than $1.13 Billion in projects have been placed in service through the end of 2021.
The plan is updated annually and can be viewed on the Collaborative website.