Hailey-Ketchum Transmission Line
Project Need
The north valley is currently served by a single 138,000 volt transmission line. An outage on this line results in power loss to all of the Ketchum and Sun Valley area.
A second transmission line to the north is critical for reliable electric service, and a plan now exists to provide for that.
Wood River Electrical Plan
The Wood River Electrical Plan was developed through a collaborative process with Idaho Power and the Wood River Community Advisory Committee (CAC) in 2007.
The plan describes the transmission facilities needed to reliably serve the valley into the future. As a result of that planning effort, Idaho Power is initiating the first project recommended by the CAC – to construct an additional 138,000-volt (138 kV) transmission line between Hailey and Ketchum.
The CAC, on behalf of valley customers, recognized the need for a second transmission line from Hailey to the Ketchum/Sun Valley area.
Improved Reliability, Increased Capacity
This new line will serve as a second source to the north valley to help minimize the risk of a catastrophic outage to the citizens and businesses of the Ketchum and Sun Valley areas. It will also provide additional capacity for future growth.
Idaho Power is proceeding according to the plans described in the Wood River Electrical Plan. The project team is currently preparing preliminary line designs and route options for the new transmission line.
View a Fact Sheet/FAQ , proposed line route map and project-area map. As potential routes are identified through the community involvement process, more information will be posted to this website.
Future projects include additional electric infrastructure to the south, designed to enhance electric reliability for the entire valley.
Transmission Line Details
The proposed 138 kV transmission line route will be approximately 12 miles and connect the Wood River Substation north of Hailey with the Ketchum Substation on Sun Valley Road.
The design of the poles and final route will be decided through a community involvement process in 2012. View our news release about community open houses in November 2012 and use the comment form to submit comments.
Substation Upgrades
To accommodate integration of the new line into the existing electrical grid, substations work must be done inside the Wood River Substation north of Hailey and the Ketchum Substation located between Ketchum and Sun Valley on Sun Valley Road.
Project Schedule
Community Involvement
2010 – 2014
Line Easements
2014
Engineering Design
2013 – 2015
Construction
2015 – 2016
Station & Line In Service
2016
Related Information
Wood River Valley Projects
Regional Projects
