Cimarron Link will improve grid reliability and affordability in Oklahoma while driving economic development and community benefits across the state
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced Thursday that Invenergy’s Cimarron Link transmission project has been selected to enter award negotiations for a $306 million capacity contract as part of DOE’s Transmission Facilitation Program.
Cimarron Link is a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission project that will deliver new renewable energy supply from the Oklahoma Panhandle to rapidly growing load centers in eastern Oklahoma. This project will transmit 1,900 megawatts (MW) of energy capacity, equivalent to the size of two new nuclear power plants. The project will support energy price competitiveness and stability for Oklahoma consumers, bolster reliability, and strengthen long-term energy security in the region.
“The selection of Cimarron Link to enter award negotiations through the Transmission Facilitation Program is an important step to deliver Oklahoma power, benefitting Oklahoma families,” said Shashank Sane, Executive Vice President and Head of Transmission at Invenergy. “The strong support for this project at the local, state, and national level reflects the critical need this grid investment serves for Oklahoma, as it will enable the construction of energy infrastructure that the Panhandle has long sought.”
“Oklahoma’s welcoming business climate has created an increase in new and existing manufacturers looking to locate or relocate, but without projects like Cimarron Link, Oklahoma will not be able to bring this business diversity and economic vitality to the state,” said Ken McQueen, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment.
Cimarron Link will generate more than 3,600 construction jobs and more than 20 permanent jobs once the project is operational. Additionally, as part of its capacity contract application, Cimarron Link presented a Community Benefits Plan to invest an additional $10 million in Oklahoma communities. This investment will enable local, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities to access jobs, workforce development opportunities, career pathways in renewable energy, and contracting opportunities for minority and disadvantaged business enterprises while also enhancing the state’s wildfire mitigation capabilities.
“Rarely does an infrastructure project provide so many tangible benefits to so many counties and citizens across one state,” said Oklahoma Senator Casey Murdock. “In addition to the direct benefits Cimarron Link will bring to landowners, schools, and county services, our state will benefit exponentially from the $10 million investment in our local communities.”
Over the last two years, Cimarron Link has engaged landowners and other community members to seek input on project routing and other considerations. By working with landowners to negotiate easement agreements, Cimarron Link has now acquired over half of the rights-of-way for the project. Cimarron Link has also invested in communities by sponsoring local events and organizations, and by developing a Cimarron Link high school scholarship and community grant program.
High Plains Technology Center stated in its letter of support, “Our number one focus is returning people to our communities while providing technical trades training that can provide meaningful income and opportunity for the people of our area. High Plains will continue to expand (our) programs to support the growth in workforce needs created by Invenergy’s investment and resulting from the Cimarron Link project.”
The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance stated in its letter of support, “In addition to addressing critical infrastructure needs, the Cimarron Link project will improve the lives of local communities by providing good paying jobs and workforce development opportunities.”
Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP) is a $2.5 billion revolving fund that will provide transmission developers with financial assistance to help develop transmission infrastructure. The Transmission Facilitation Program is not associated with the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) Designation Process or the preliminary designation of the Delta-Plains Corridor.
TFP award contracts are expected to be finalized in January 2025.
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About Invenergy
Invenergy is accelerating cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, build, own, and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation, transmission, and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Headquartered in Chicago, Invenergy has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Poland, and Scotland.
Invenergy and its affiliated companies have successfully developed more than 32,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction, or contracted, including wind, solar, transmission infrastructure and natural gas power generation, and advanced energy storage projects. Through its dedicated transmission business and interconnecting generation infrastructure, Invenergy has successfully developed over 4,100 miles of transmission and collection lines to bring power to market.
About Cimarron Link
Cimarron Link is an electric transmission project that will unlock access to the inexhaustible renewable energy of the Oklahoma Panhandle, one of America’s lowest-cost, steadiest-producing energy resources. An Invenergy project, Cimarron Link will support energy price competitiveness and stability for Oklahoma families and businesses while bolstering reliability by diversifying energy solutions and strengthening long-term energy security.
Contact Invenergy:
Erika Huffman