Crossroads – Hobbs – Roadrunner
In August 2023, NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest (NEET Southwest) was awarded the Crossroads – Hobbs – Roadrunner 345-kV Competitive Upgrade project by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). The project will deliver lower-cost generation to the region and enhance the reliability of the electric grid by building an approximately 135-mile double-circuit 345-kV transmission line that interconnects the existing Crossroads, Hobbs and Roadrunner substations in Roosevelt and Lea counties.
The Crossroads – Hobbs – Roadrunner project emerged following the SPP’s 2021 Integrated transmission planning process, an annual planning cycle that assesses both short and long-term economic and reliability transmission needs.
NEET Southwest is a leading electric transmission company with a proven track record of constructing transmission projects across the region. Working closely with local communities, NEET Southwest will finance, construct, own, operate and maintain the project. The project is expected to be in service no later than May 2026.
NEET Southwest is working with the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority (RETA) on the Crossroads – Hobbs – Roadrunner 345-kV Competitive Upgrade project.
Project Benefits
Benefits for Roosevelt and Lea counties:
- Improves the efficiency and reliability of the electric grid.
- Generates local job opportunities in the short and long term.
- Spurs investment in local New Mexico communities.
- Expands electric capacity which helps more businesses set up shop and thrive.
- Reduces pressure on existing power lines by producing another route for energy flow.
- Helps to unblock and deliver currently constrained renewable resources to meet the area’s growing demand.
Environmental Coordination:
- Collaborated with landowners and interested tribes to perform detailed environmental and cultural resource surveys.
- Worked with two of the country’s leading biologists to refine the placement of transmission structures and roads to mitigate impacts on wildlife.
- Coordinated with staff at the New Mexico State Land Office to avoid impacts to known cultural and natural resources.
Project Route and Timeline
Below is a timeline of the Crossroads – Hobbs – Roadrunner project:
- Q2 2024: Regulatory approvals complete
- Q4 2024: Engineering complete
- Q2 2025: Procurement complete
- Q2 2026: Construction complete
Assuming timely regulatory approvals, the project is expected to be in service by May 2026.