Solstice - Sand LakeTransmission Line Project

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AEP Texas and Oncor plan to address the need for a more reliable power grid for future growth and economic development in Pecos, Reeves and Ward Counties. Following recent electrical studies, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas designated the project as critical. The new 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line will provide West Texans and commercial energy developers with more reliable electric service. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved the project and a final line route on June 26, 2019. See project updates for more information about the Final Order and the approved route.

The components of the proposed Sand Lake-Solstice Transmission Line Project include:

• Expanding the existing Solstice Station to accommodate 345-kV transmission equipment
• Building approximately 40 miles of double-circuit 345-kV transmission line
• Approximately 20 miles to be built by AEP Texas
• Approximately 20 miles to be built by Oncor

AEP Texas teamed up with Oncor to build the new electric transmission infrastructure as part of this initiative. For more information about their roles in the project and the companies, please visit their project websites:

Oncor Solstice - Sand Lake Transmission

Project Updates

The company completed line construction and placed the line in service in December 2020.

On June 26, 2019, the PUCT issued a Final Order approving the new Solstice - Sand Lake transmission line and determined a final route for the power line. This decision comes approximately 7 months after AEP Texas and Oncor filed a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application with the PUCT.

AEP Texas hosted a public open house on August 15, 2018 to introduce proposed route links and answer questions related to the project. Visitors offered feedback, asked questions of project team members and learned more about the potential route links for the proposed transmission line.

Percheron serves as AEP Texas' right-of-way representative on this project. Right-of-way agents are in the field working with affected landowners along the AEP Texas portion of the project. The company plans for these communications to continue through the fall.

Final Order 48785 (PDF)
Final Order Route 320 Map (PDF)

Timeline

Structures