Population and electric load growth in eastern Wake County, N.C., and the surrounding area is expected to exceed local system capability within the next several years. Additional constraints on the existing electric transmission system in that area, coupled with significant growth in population and electricity usage, have prompted the need for Progress Energy to upgrade its transmission facilities.

Progress Energy's continuous assessment of electric system requirements has identified the need for a transmission project - one of several planned in Progress Energy's service area - to help ensure a continued reliable supply of electric service to homes and businesses. The company will invest about $9.3 million in building a new 230-kiloVolt electric transmission substation in the Zebulon area (off Rice Road just over the Johnston County line) and connecting several area transmission lines to it to enhance reliability and address low-voltage concerns.

The lines - about 6 miles of new lines total - will be attached to single transmission poles spaced approximately every 500-700 feet. One will connect the substation with the existing Wake-Wilson 230-kiloVolt transmission line, which runs west to east. Another will connect the substation with the Milburnie-Spring Hope switching station 115-kiloVolt line, which runs west to northeast. The last element of the project is re-routing the existing Zebulon-Wake EMC 69-kiloVolt feeder into the new substation.

The project schedule calls for the new Zebulon substation and power lines to be operational by June 2005. Easement acquisition, additional engineering and design and other milestones will occur before construction gets under way.

Project need

• Eastern Wake County and the surrounding area have grown rapidly over the last 10 years, and the electric system must keep pace. In addition to building new power plants, Progress Energy must enhance the transmission and distribution systems to help ensure a continuous, reliable flow of electricity to homes and businesses in the region. This project is one of several major transmission system upgrades planned by 2007 to benefit Progress Energy's North Carolina customers. Progress Energy plans to invest about $200 million by 2007 on transmission system projects.

• Without the transmission system upgrades, this area, including the Knightdale and Nashville areas could experience problems with low-voltage by mid-2005, or exceed electric system capability, potentially creating the types of electric system reliability concerns that have plagued other parts of the country in recent years.

• Electricity is far too important for our customers to risk service interruptions or problems with power quality due to inadequate facilities. Progress Energy and the N.C. Utilities Commission have an obligation to ensure that the electric system is maintained and upgraded appropriately.

• The upgrades will enhance system reliability for electricity consumers throughout the region, not just Progress Energy customers.

Additional benefits

• The transmission upgrades will generate additional annual property tax revenues for the host counties and municipalities.

• Maintaining a robust system for supplying and delivering electricity is integral in ensuring the continued economic prosperity of the region.

• The addition of the substation, as well as the transmission line connections, will improve electric reliability in the area. Having a substation closer to the homes and businesses typically means a reduction in the frequency and duration of outages for those consumers.

Map of selected route

• View Map
    61 Kb

Schedule

The final routes for the project have been chosen, based in large part on public input. Acquisition of the transmission line right of way begins in mid-2003. Construction of the substation will begin with clearing in mid-2004; actual construction of the substation and lines will begin in late 2004 and be completed by mid-2005.

Permit requirements

The project requires a number of permits and approvals, including environmental and construction permits. Progress Energy will work with local governments and agencies to ensure that the project complements local growth plans. And Progress Energy will comply with all regulatory requirements related to the construction and operation of the facilities. Before the development of any preliminary routes, Progress Energy will contact the Corps of Engineers, the Fish & Wildlife Service, state historic preservation officer, the N.C. Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies that have an interest in the project.

Public participation

Progress Energy believes public participation is critical to the success of the project. Among other communication initiatives, the company held a public information meeting in the area to be served by the transmission facilities. The purpose of this meeting, Jan. 21 at the Zebulon Civic Center, was to provide information on the need, scope and schedule of the project and gather pertinent data from property owners and others on the proposed transmission line routes.  Progress Energy also will continue to make information available via the Web and will communicate directly with impacted property owners and others.

Land acquisition

Progress Energy land agents will work individually with property owners in purchasing easements for the facilities. The line will require right of way on both sides of the proposed center of the transmission line (up to 120 feet total easement requirement, depending on the voltage of the line and whether the line parallels an existing line). Progress Energy negotiates individually for easements, and landowners retain ownership of the property.

Overhead versus underground

Progress Energy investigated the possibility of putting the line underground. The reliability of underground transmission lines is a major question across the United States, as relatively few have been constructed. A fault in a buried line, caused by a manufacturing defect or an accidental dig-in, would take much longer to locate and repair than a similar fault in an overhead line. Other adverse factors regarding underground transmission lines are the effects they can have on wetlands and soil erosion and the decreased electrical capacity they can carry.