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LCRA TSC approves three transmission capital projects totaling about $20.8 million
Summary
The LCRA Transmission Services Corporation board approved three capital improvement projects — a mobile capacitor bank, switching structure replacements in Colorado County, and a transformer upgrade at Avant substation — with combined estimated costs of about $20.8 million and staged completion dates through mid-2027.
The LCRA Transmission Services Corporation board on Wednesday approved three capital projects intended to improve system reliability and capacity, staff members said. The projects carry estimated combined costs of about $20.8 million and completion dates between June 2026 and October 2027.
Board members heard the projects presented by staff member Josh Cole, who said the board previously approved the annual capital plan in May and that individual projects come back for approval after scope and cost estimates are refined. "This will add a new tool to our toolkit," Cole said of the first project, describing how the equipment will be used to support outages and operations.
The most immediate project is a mobile capacitor bank listed as a FY2025 system upgrade. Cole said the trailer-mounted capacitor bank will be able to connect at both 69-kilovolt and 138-kilovolt classes, provide additional operational flexibility and support temporary shorting during outages. The board was given a recommended completion date of Oct. 31, 2027, and an estimated cost of $3,400,000.
Also approved were switching structure replacements at two substations in Colorado County (near Eagle Lake), a FY2025 system upgrade described as improving system reliability and easing operations at those stations. Staff gave that project a recommended completion date of June 30, 2026, and an estimated cost of $11,300,000.
Finally, the board approved an upgrade to the power transformer at the Avant substation in Hamilton County, described by Cole as a fit for the site that reuses a transformer previously deployed in a mobile installation. The recommended completion date is May 15, 2026, with an estimated cost of $6,100,000. Cole noted the reused transformer has "low mileage," which staff said makes it a cost-effective option for this project.
On asset life, a staff member identified as Chris told the board that useful life depends on the asset and site conditions but that these types of transmission assets are typically counted in multiple decades; he added future load growth in an area can change project needs. The projects are expected to be funded by regulator-approved rates upon project completion and subject to consideration and approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, as Cole noted.
The board voted in favor of the package; no dissenting votes were recorded in the public transcript.
Less critical procedural items and the consent agenda preceded the presentations and were approved without substantive discussion.
