Why Do We Build Transmission Lines?
First, it is important to understand the purpose of a transmission line. These lines get the power from generating plants to your home or business by carrying high-voltage (100,000 volts and above) electricity for long distances. Common transmission line voltages include 138,000 volts, 161,000 volts, 230,000 volts and 345,000 volts.
In order to get the power to you, transmission lines deliver electricity to substations, which reduce the electricity to lower voltages so it can travel through the distribution system.
We build new transmission lines for two important reasons.
First, we build these lines to improve the reliability of our service. This means fewer service outages, and when outages do occur, outages of shorter duration.
Secondly, we build new transmission lines to meet the growing need for safe, reliable electricity. New homes, new stores, new offices, new factories – they all need electricity, and they all call on us to deliver it. Also, a growing number of electrically powered devices and equipment create new demand for power. We must make certain we have enough transmission lines to supply the electricity our customers need.