Name and Location
Fort McMurray West transmission project, Alberta, Canada.

Client
Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).

Project Description
The current capacity of the transmission system in the Fort McMurray area is nearing its capacity and, over the last ten years, the demand for additional power has doubled.

The Fort McMurray West 500 kV transmission project will connect a new 500 km alternating current, single-circuit transmission line from the Thickwood Hills substation, near the site of the Livock substation, located 60 km north-east of Wabasca, and then to Sunnybrook substation, located south-west of Edmonton, Alberta.

Value
The capital cost of the project is estimated at C$1.6-billion.

Duration
The route will not be finalised until a facilities application is submitted to, and is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission, which is likely to be in 2017.

Latest Developments
TransCanada and its partner Elecnor have been selected by AESO as one of five parties to progress in the competitive bid process to design, build and operate a power transmission line.

AESO is expected to announce the winning bidder by the end of 2014.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
AESO, tel +1 403 539 2450 or fax +1 403 539 2949.
TransCanada, tel +1 855 920 4695 or email TransCanadaTransmission@TransCanada.com.
Elecnor, email prensa@elecnor.es.