Hillje-Blu Lacy Transmission Improvement Project

The Hillje-Blu Lacy Transmission Line Project involves building a 155-mile 765 kilovolt (kV) power line between Wharton County and Nueces County in partnership with CenterPoint Energy.

After analyzing Texas’ rapid growth in electricity demand, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) identified projects through its Regional Transmission Plan process necessary to address reliability concerns today and in the future. These projects, including the Hillje Blu Lacy Transmission Improvement Project, were identified to strengthen grid reliability and minimize congestion costs.

The proposed line stretches between CenterPoint Energy’s proposed Hillje Substation located in Wharton County and AEP Texas’ proposed Blu Lacy Substation near Nueces County.

AEP Texas will construct, own and operate the southern half of the power line and CenterPoint Energy will construct, own and operate the northern half of the power line.

Open houses for the Hillje-Blu Lacy Transmission Line Project will be held in summer 2026 at locations in the project study area. Project teams members will be available to discuss potential route links, answer questions from the public and collect feedback about the project.

No final line route has been selected.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requires AEP Texas officials to file a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application for review and approval of the project. Following the review of the CCN application, the PUCT determines the final line route. AEP Texas representatives plan to file a CCN application for the project in early 2027 and expect to receive a response from the PUCT in fall 2027.

AEP’s experience with 765-kV began in 1961 with the installation of an experimental 750-kV transmission line at AEP’s test facility near Apple Grove, West Virginia. After several years of research and development, in 1966 AEP announced plans to build 1,050 miles of 765-kV transmission by 1972 to support the rapid electrical load growth throughout the region. In 1969, AEP energized the world’s first operational 765-kV transmission line between Kentucky and Ohio, marking the highest installed voltage line at the time. Today the 765-kV network has grown to over 2,200 miles and 30 substations across six states.