Sharyland Utilities (McAllen, Texas, U.S) plans to build an electrical tie between the Texas and Mexico power grids. This cross-border tie will be the first of its kind to support both emergency power and commercial business activity in Texas and Mexico. The 150-MW high-voltage direct current (dc) tie will allow two-way electricity transfers between independent power grids, which supports economic development and increased reliability of both grids.

“Two of my administration's top priorities are economic development for South Texas and stronger economic integration with Mexico. Sharyland Utilities' proposed DC Tie plays an important role in advancing both,” said Texas Gov. Rick Perry. “The tie will enhance the reliability of the power grids in both south Texas and northern Mexico. As Fortune 500 companies continue to relocate their operations to Texas, they should take comfort that we are doing everything possible to ensure they have the quality infrastructure required to support their businesses.”

Florencio Aboytes, power system planning division manager, Comision Federal de Electricidad, commented, “DC ties are an integral part of Mexico's electric infrastructure management strategy. The ties enhance system reliability and expand our electric markets by providing access to low-cost power from diverse sources.”

Sharyland Utilities has planned construction to begin next year, with electric power transfers predicted by year-end 2005. The dc tie converter station will be located in Mission, Texas, with an electrical transmission line between facilities in McAllen, and Reynosa, Mexico. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas will coordinate open-access operations of the dc tie, and the Public Utilities Commission of Texas will regulate electrical transmission rates.
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