|
ATCO
Electric owns and
operates a system
of transmission
lines and distribution
lines that are
part of Alberta's
inter-connected
electricity grid.
Through tie-lines, our
system is also connected
to the electricity grids
in British Columbia and
Saskatchewan. We
also operate isolated
generating units in
remote communities.
ATCO Electric
experienced significant
growth in 2005.
With the continued
expansion and
development of the oil
and gas industry in
northern Alberta, the
company spent $212.2
million in capital to
upgrade, maintain and
improve the electric
system, which includes
9,300 km of transmission
line and 58,000 km of
distribution line.
This represents a 50 per
cent increase in
distribution
expenditures over 2004
because of the number of
new customers and
facilities in ATCO
Electric's service
territory.
Over $60 million in
transmission projects
were completed across
the province in 2005 to
accommodate new and
existing customers.
Some of the projects
included new 144
kilovolt (kV) power
transmission facilities
in the Monitor and
Veteran areas of
east-central Alberta.
The project included
about 60 km of new
transmission line, a new
"Ribstone Creek"
substation at a pumping
station site north of
Veteran, and alterations
at ATCO Electric's
existing Monitor and
Veteran substations.
ATCO Electric also
constructed new 144 kV
power transmission
facilities in the
Drumheller and Three
Hills areas of central
Alberta. The
project included about
62 km of new
transmission line
connecting the existing
Michichi Creek
substation, north of
Drumheller, with the
existing Three Hills
substation.
ATCO
Electric Transmission
System
The transmission
system is made up of the
high-voltage lines and
substations that carry
bulk power. In Alberta,
transmission facilities
are typically defined as
69-kV(kilovolt) and
higher.
ATCO Electric's
transmission system is
linked to the Alberta
Interconnected Electric
System. The company
operates this network of
transmission lines and
substations in tandem
with the
Alberta Electric
System Operator to
ensure that customers
have the power they need
when they need
it.
For more information
about:
ATCO
Electric Distribution
System A
distribution system is
composed of low-voltage
power lines and
sub-stations, which carry
power safely through
towns, cities and rural
areas to our customers'
doorsteps. A series of
transformers (from those
in major transmission
sub-stations, to small
ones on mounted poles)
step down the level of
voltage until the power
can be safely used by
customers in their homes
and business.
The
distribution system
owned and operated by
ATCO Electric is more
than 58,000 kilometres
long. We also operate
12,100 kilometres of line owned
by Rural
Electrification
Associations (REAs).
|
