The developer of a planned $1.2 billion transmission project that will cross parts of Arizona and New Mexico has signed an anchor tenant.
SunZia Transmission says First Wind Energy has signed a letter of intent to reserve up to 1,500 megawatts of capacity on the transmission line. That will allow First Wind to move the electricity it plans to generate in central New Mexico to other markets.
SunZia project manager Tom Wray says interest for transmission service from renewable generators has exceeded available capacity.
Permitting and siting of the 500-mile-long transmission line has been in the making for years. There has been debate surrounding a section that would cross White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico.
A federal agency is expected to issue a final decision by October.
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