Critical grid infrastructure to connect the West

The TransWest Express Transmission Project is a high-voltage interregional electric transmission system developed by TransWest Express LLC. The TWE Project is critical new infrastructure that will deliver electricity generated by renewable resources and will strengthen the power grid that serves the Western United States. For example, the TWE Project can reliably deliver cost-effective renewable wind energy produced in Wyoming to the Desert Southwest region (California, Nevada, Arizona), providing much-needed zero-carbon electricity to millions of homes and businesses every year. Wyoming’s high-capacity wind energy resources complement the Desert Southwest's renewables, offering geographic diversity to help this region not only save money but also achieve GHG emissions reduction goals.

The dotted line indicates the approximate route of this transmission line project, from the Marketplace Hub in Nevada to south-central Wyoming, with a terminal near Delta, Utah. The TWE Project aligns with regional transmission development objectives set forth in an April 2005 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the governors of Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California.

By the numbers

732 miles of high-voltage transmission infrastructure consisting of two systems: a 3,000 MW direct current (DC) segment with terminals near Sinclair, Wyo., and Delta, Utah; and a 1,500 MW alternating current (AC) segment from the Utah terminal to southern Nevada.
$3 billion estimated cost
Three planning regions in the WECC connected by this interregional system

Project updates

Sept. 21, 2023: TWE Project construction activity begins in Wyoming
June 30, 2023: Smiles, support surround TWE Project groundbreaking
June 20, 2023: TransWest Express Transmission Project celebrates construction phase with Cabinet Secretaries and groundbreaking in Wyoming
June 5, 2023: TransWest Express chooses Barnard Wilson Joint Venture as transmission line construction partner
April 11, 2023: Interior Department issues the Notice to Proceed for the TransWest Express Transmission Project

EIS websites

BLM and WAPA are joint lead agencies that prepared an Environmental Impact Statement for the TWE Project. USFS was a cooperating agency. Each federal agency has an EIS-related site:

BLM
WAPA

Stay informed

Join TransWest's email list to receive periodic updates and meeting notifications.

Federal focus

Federal "Rapid Response Team for Transmission" selects TWE Project
• See Permitting Dashboard page

In the news

"A number of peer-reviewed studies have documented that the aggregate output of wind and solar plants spread over a large geographic area is much less variable than the output of plants clustered into a small area. Thus, a more robust grid can significantly reduce the cost of integrating wind and solar power with the grid by allowing larger power flows between regions as well as making it possible to access renewable resources from a greater diversity of areas."

- AWEA/SEIA Green Power Superhighways report, February 2009