El Paso Electric Proposes 345 kV Transmission Line

The utility's $57M project aims to boost reliability and support growth on the East Side.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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El Paso Electric is studying a new 345-kilovolt transmission line project that could stretch 10 to 19 miles and cost up to $57 million. The proposed Pine-to-Caliente line is designed to ease heavy loads on the East Side grid and make room for future growth, including from industrial projects and data centers. The utility is currently in the routing and environmental assessment stage, with plans to file for regulatory approval in mid-2026.

Why it matters

This high-voltage transmission line is part of El Paso Electric's broader efforts to upgrade its grid and generation capacity to keep up with rising power demand, particularly from large industrial and data center projects on the East Side. The project has sparked concerns from city leaders about the costs and impacts of supporting rapid growth.

The details

El Paso Electric's proposed 345 kV transmission line would run between the Pine and Caliente substations, with potential routes spanning 10 to 19 miles. The utility estimates the project could cost up to $57 million. The company is currently conducting routing and environmental studies, with plans to file for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity with the Texas Public Utility Commission in July 2026. Construction would depend on regulatory approval.

  • El Paso Electric launched routing and environmental assessment work this spring.
  • The utility plans to file its CCN application with the Texas PUC in July 2026.
  • Public comment on the project is open through March 13, 2026.

The players

El Paso Electric

A regional electric utility serving customers in West Texas and southern New Mexico.

Public Utility Commission of Texas

The state regulatory agency that oversees electric utilities and must approve major transmission projects like this one.

Meta

The technology company planning a major data center campus in El Paso that will require significant new power capacity.

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What’s next

El Paso Electric will continue refining potential routes and gathering public feedback before filing its CCN application with the Texas PUC in July 2026. The PUC will then have about six months to rule on the project.

The takeaway

This high-voltage transmission line is a critical piece of infrastructure to support the East Side's growing power needs, but it also highlights the broader tensions in El Paso over managing rapid growth and its impacts on the community.