Xcel Energy Set to Complete Roswell Grid Improvements

Xcel Energy has started the second phase of a $27 million project to upgrade the high-voltage electric transmission system that powers Roswell and surrounding areas.

The project, known as the Roswell Loop, is an effort to replace older 69-kilovolt transmission lines with new 115-kilovolt lines, which will boost the reliability and capacity of the local power grid. The project involves:

• A nine mile, 115-kilovolt transmission line segment between the Roswell Substation in southern Roswell and the Capitan Substation in western Roswell that was completed in 2014.
• A 10-mile, 115-kilovolt line between the Capitan and Price substations in north Roswell and a 4.7-mile, 115-kilovolt line connecting the Price and Chaves County substations northeast of Roswell. This phase of construction is expected to be completed by 2018.
• Upgrades to Roswell, Capitan, Price and Chaves County substations to accommodate the higher voltage lines.

“The Roswell economy has grown and continues to grow, which drives the need for upgrades to the power grid to accommodate higher demand,” said Mike McLeod, regional manager for Community and Economic Development in Roswell. “Our energy future is tied directly to this type of growth, and it’s critical that we make timely investments in our power delivery systems to maintain high reliability at the most reasonable cost.”