Transfers between the Fairbanks area either to or from the Anchorage/Kenai systems are currently limited to a single line. The second transmission line spanning the 171 miles between Healy and Anchorage will help prevent outages to Fairbanks and allow GVEA to access electrical and gas markets in the south-central system. The second line is also required in order to facilitate hydro-hydro optimization of existing and planned hydroelectric projects in the future.

The absence of a second transmission line between the areas precludes the contracting for firm power between the systems and precludes GVEA from contracting for known quantities of fuel or energy from the southern utilities including the sharing of capacity reserves across the Railbelt Grid. The addition of a second line between Anchorage and Fairbanks increases the amount of energy transferred between the areas from 75 MW of non-firm to 125 MW of firm power sales.

Lake Lorraine Substation
FY2014 request: $1.0M

This project includes the construction of the 230 kV substation near the confluence of Chugach’s 230 kV West Terminal and its Teeland Transmission lines. The substation would provide a termination point for the Lorraine – Douglas (Willow) transmission line(s). The substation includes an -85/+25 MVAr SVC at the station to control voltages on the 230 kV system during periods of low and high power transfer.
Total cost: $84.0M over 3 years.

Douglas Substation Expansion
FY2014 request: $3.5M

This project includes the construction of the 230 kV / 138 kV substation at the existing Douglas substation near Willow.
Total cost: $16.5M over 2 years.

Douglas Transmission Line
FY2014 request: $1.0M

This project includes the construction of a 42-mile, 230 kV double-circuit transmission line from Lake Lorraine substation to Douglas substation.
Total cost: $50.5M over 4 years.

Gold Creek Station
FY2014 request: $3.5M

This project includes the construction of a 230 kV (operated at 138 kV) substation near Gold Creek on the Alaska Intertie.
Total cost: $14.5M over 2 years.

Healy Station
FY2014 request: $1.0M

This project includes the construction of a 230 kV (operated at 138 kV) substation near Healy on the Alaska Intertie. Scope includes terminations for two 230 kV (operated at 138 kV) lines to Gold Creek, lines to GVEA’s Wilson substation and GVEA’s Gold Hill substation, lines to existing Healy plant and an SVC.
Total cost: $16.5M over 3 years.

Douglas – Healy Transmission Line
FY2014 request: $1.0M

This project includes the construction of a 171-mile, 230 kV (operated at 138 kV) transmission line from Douglas substation to Healy substation.
Total cost: $106.0M over 6-8 years.

Communication Infrastructure
FY2014 request: $1.0M

This project includes the development and installation of communication infrastructure between the Teeland, Lorraine, Douglas, Gold Creek and Healy substations. The communications will be used for high-speed protective relaying communications between control areas and control and monitoring of the substation equipment.
Total cost: $15.0M over 4 years.