Texas plans new 765 kV transmission line
The proposed Bell County–Schleicher County transmission line will span several hundred miles and boost grid capacity using high-voltage steel lattice infrastructure.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Texas, Salado: A major high-voltage transmission project is being planned in Texas, aiming to connect Bell County in the east with Schleicher County in the west via a 765 kV transmission line, the highest voltage class used in U.S. transmission systems.
Designated the Bell County East–Big Hill 765 kV Transmission Line Project, the line will stretch from Oncor Electric’s Bell County East Switch, located 8.8 km (5.5 mi) southeast of Temple, to a new Big Hill Substation to be built by LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (TSC) near Eldorado, approximately 21 km (13 mi) northeast of the city.
The single-circuit line will be constructed on self-supporting steel lattice towers and is expected to span eight or nine counties, depending on the final approved routing. The 765 kV infrastructure is designed to transmit large volumes of electricity efficiently over long distances, strengthening Texas’s transmission backbone and supporting future grid reliability.
Oncor will be responsible for building and operating the eastern half, while LCRA TSC will handle the western portion. The project is currently in the early planning phase, with several potential routing alternatives under evaluation by consulting firms Kimley-Horn and Halff Associates.
A series of public meetings is underway to gather input on route options. The first session took place in Salado, with upcoming meetings scheduled in Lampasas and Menard. If approved, the project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2030.
Source: KDH News
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