OKLAHOMA (OBV) – A major U.S. power company will receive millions of dollars from the federal government to help deliver new renewable energy to rapidly growing load centers in eastern Oklahoma.
The U.S. Department of Energy selected Invenergy’s Cimarron Link transmission project to enter award negotiations for a $306 million capacity contract as part of DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program.
“The selection of Cimarron Link to enter award negotiations through the Transmission Facilitation Program is an important step to deliver Oklahoma power, benefitting Oklahoma families,” said Shashank Sane, executive vice president and head of Transmission at Invenergy. “The strong support for this project at the local, state, and national level reflects the critical need this grid investment serves for Oklahoma, as it will enable the construction of energy infrastructure that the Panhandle has long sought.”
Invenergy officials describe Cimarron Link as a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project that will supply renewable energy from the Panhandle to eastern Oklahoma load centers. It will transmit 1,900 megawatts (MW) of energy capacity – the size of two new nuclear power plants – supporting energy price competitiveness and stability for Oklahomans, enhancing reliability and strengthening long-term energy security in eastern Oklahoma, according to officials with the company.
“Oklahoma’s welcoming business climate has created an increase in new and existing manufacturers looking to locate or relocate, but without projects like Cimarron Link, Oklahoma will not be able to bring this business diversity and economic vitality to the state,” said Ken McQueen, Oklahoma secretary of Energy & Environment.
The project will produce over 3,600 construction jobs and more than 20 permanent jobs once the project is in operation.
Cimarron Link offers a Community Benefits Plan to invest an additional $10 million in Oklahoma communities as part of its capacity contract application. This investment gives local, Tribal and disadvantaged communities access to jobs, workforce development opportunities, renewable energy careers and contracting opportunities for minority and disadvantaged business enterprises while also enhancing the state’s wildfire mitigation capabilities, company officials said.
“Rarely does an infrastructure project provide so many tangible benefits to so many counties and citizens across one state,” said Oklahoma Senator Casey Murdock. “In addition to the direct benefits Cimarron Link will bring to landowners, schools, and county services, our state will benefit exponentially from the $10 million investment in our local communities.”
Invenergy negotiates easement agreements with landowners, acquiring more than half of Cimarron Link’s needed rights-of-ways. The company also invested in local events and organizations, including creating a Cimarron Link high school scholarship and community grant program, according to company officials.
“Our number one focus is returning people to our communities while providing technical trades training that can provide meaningful income and opportunity for the people of our area,” High Plains Technology Center officials said in their letter of support for the project. “High Plains will continue to expand (our) programs to support the growth in workforce needs created by Invenergy’s investment and resulting from the Cimarron Link project.”
Officials with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance also wrote a letter of support, saying, “In addition to addressing critical infrastructure needs, the Cimarron Link project will improve the lives of local communities by providing good paying jobs and workforce development opportunities.”
The Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP), which is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is a $2.5 billion revolving fund that will provide financial assistance to transmission developers to help them build transmission infrastructure. The Transmission Facilitation Program is not associated with the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) Designation Process or the preliminary designation of the Delta-Plains Corridor.
TFP award contracts are slated to be finalized in January 2025.
Visit www.CimarronLink.com for more information on the project.
