Northeast New Mexico is home to some of the most robust wind and solar resources in the United States. To harness and deliver these clean energy resources to key markets, additional transmission infrastructure is essential. The Lucky Corridor portfolio—comprised of two strategic transmission line projects—aims to facilitate New Mexico’s energy transition while utilizing existing rights-of-way wherever possible to minimize land impacts.
The Vista Trail Transmission Line Project includes approximately 65 miles of 345 kV transmission line connecting Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s existing Taos Substation in Taos County to its Springer Substation in Colfax County, New Mexico.
The Mora Transmission Line Project spans approximately 114 miles and operates at both 345 kV and 115 kV. The first segment, about 48 miles in length, will operate at 345 kV, linking the Don Carlos Wind Farm in Union County to a new 345/115 kV Mora Substation adjacent to the Springer Substation. The second segment steps down to 115 kV and extends 66 miles south to the Arriba Substation near Las Vegas, New Mexico, which is owned and operated by Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM).
ZGlobal was retained by the original developers to conduct a comprehensive suite of technical and economic assessments, including fatal flaw analysis, cost-benefit analysis, reliability impact studies, rate-making evaluations, and alternative routing scenarios. The study also examined the potential to interconnect renewable generation and deliver power to load centers as far west as California.
The Lucky Corridor projects were subsequently acquired by Ameren Transmission, a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation, which plans to begin construction in 2025.