NextEra Energy Transmission (NEET) has completed the second of its three competitive projects in SPP’s footprint, the 92-mile, 345-kV Wolf Creek-Blackberry project in Kansas and Missouri.

NEET Southwest, a NextEra subsidiary, confirmed in an email to RTO Insider that the project was energized on July 16. It said the project was completed “within budget” and nearly five months ahead of SPP’s required in-service date.

The project was awarded to NEET Southwest in October 2021. The developer’s bid came in at $85 million, far below the high proposal of $151 million. (See “Expert Panel Awards Competitive Project to NextEra Energy Transmission,” SPP Board of Directors/Members Committee Briefs: Oct. 26, 2021.)

Matt Pawlowski, NEET’s vice president of development, celebrated the announcement during the July 17 Strategic Planning Committee meeting.

Interrupting himself mid-comment, Pawlowski said, “Did I mention that we energized Wolf Creek to Blackberry a couple days ago? I’m sorry, I think I forgot to mention that earlier. Did I? Did I mention that yet? No? OK.”

In January, NEET Southwest also energized the Minco-Pleasant Valley-Draper project, a 48-mile, 345-kV transmission line in Oklahoma. NEET submitted a winning bid of $55 million for the project, which was awarded in 2022. (See “Directors Approve RTO’s 4th Competitive Project Under Order 1000,” SPP Board of Directors/Markets Committee Briefs: April 26, 2022.)

The projects are the only two of five approved by SPP under FERC Order 1000 that have been completed.

SPP also has awarded NEET Southwest Crossroads-Hobbs-Roadrunner, a 137-mile, 345-kV project in Southwestern Public Service Co.’s service territory in Texas and New Mexico. NEET’s $291 million bid was higher than incumbent SPS’ $220 million proposal, but the former offered a one-year construction timeline. (See SPP Awards NextEra 3rd Competitive Project.)

The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026.