LS Power Breaks Ground on Final Phase of Southwest Intertie Project

The $1 billion-plus investment by LS Power affiliate Great Basin Transmission connects the Midpoint Substation in Idaho with the Robinson Summit Substation in Nevada. Once energized in 2028, the line will enable the movement of over 2,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 1.5 million homes. This final segment completes a 576-mile transmission path that has been in development since the 1980s, integrating previous lines like the One Nevada Transmission Line and DesertLink to bolster regional resilience.

Beyond technical capacity, the project serves as a collaborative model between private developers and utilities, including NV Energy, Idaho Power, and the California Independent System Operator. Officials anticipate the construction phase will generate approximately 300 jobs and provide over $375 million in regional economic impact. By allowing bidirectional power flow, the line aims to lower costs for Idaho Power customers and provide Nevada with a more robust defense against extreme weather and wildfire-related grid disruptions.