AEP Texas has announced Gregory Area Transmission Improvements Project to improve reliability for customers in San Patricio County.
The project involves rebuilding approximately one mile of a 138 kV transmission line to replace a section of the existing Aransas Pass-Rincon transmission line and upgrading equipment at the Gregory substation.
The proposed project also includes the following:
· Replacing deteriorating equipment from the 1970s addressing age-related conditions on the power line that could lead to outages for customers.
· Modernizing the electric system to allow more flexibility to address the area’s growing power demand and to ensure reliable power.
· Allowing the project team to review and identify potential shifts in the transmission line route to avoid encroachments within the existing right-of-way. This is necessary to ensure safe and reliable electric service and to meet current engineering and safety standards.
AEP Texas officials plan to file an application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). The PUC is expected to provide a decision on the project and select a final line route by August 2025, with construction expected to start in early 2026, on receiving approval.
