GridLiance, an independent transmission company, the Kansas Power Pool (KPP) and the City of Winfield, Kan., have received final state regulatory approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to jointly-own and improve the city’s transmission facilities within the Southwest Power Pool regional transmission organization.
“Through this transaction, Winfield gains an able partner in the long-term stewardship of our electric transmission assets,” said Ron Hutto, mayor of Winfield. “We have provided reliable public power to our customers for more than 100 years, and this partnership with GridLiance strengthens our efforts to provide that same level of quality service into the future.”
The city of Winfield owns 256 miles of local electric distribution lines, 38 megawatts of generation and 29 miles of electric transmission lines. Under the terms of the agreement, GridLiance’s subsidiary GridLiance High Plains will acquire a 65 percent ownership stake in the 29 miles of Winfield’s 69-kilovolt transmission system and invest in needed reliability upgrades.
The transaction marks GridLiance's first joint-ownership agreement with a municipal electric utility. This transaction also is the first developed under a co-development agreement between GridLiance and the Kansas Power Pool (KPP).
“Working together we are unlocking the value of Winfield’s existing electric transmission assets,” said Mark Chesney, CEO and general manager of KPP. “We are convinced that GridLiance’s transmission capabilities and commitment to Winfield will ensure greater transmission system reliability and resiliency for the Winfield community.”
The transaction is subject to customary federal approvals and is expected to close by the end of 2019.
