Transmission Line Project Takes Flight in San Diego
Sunrise Powerlink transports renewable energy overhead and underground for 117 miles from the Imperial Valley near El Centro into San Diego—increasing regional transmission capability and reliability. It also helps San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) meet a state mandate requiring at least 33% of its energy to come from renewable resources by 2020.
The $1.88-billion project began Sept. 1, 2010, and was energized on June 17, 2012—just in time to provide additional summer reliability to the Southern California power grid. SDG&E estimates that the project created between 400 and 500 direct construction jobs, providing a boost for the area's construction industry, which was hit by the recession.