By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Meeting in special session Thursday, the Paris Utility Authority gave the nod to proceed with plans for a ten-mile power line to connect the recently-completed Eagle Creek delivery point substation to the Puryear substation. The line will complete a 69kV transmission loop that will allow the Paris Board of Public Utilities to serve much of the electric grid out of the Eagle Creek station if needed.
CEO Terry Wimberley explained that the TVA routinely issues Requests for Proposals (RFP) from solar developers who desire to build a solar farm and sell the output back to TVA. Silicon Ranch has responded to the RFP and has been awarded a Green Invest solar project with TVA.
Wimberley said, “Just so everyone understands. This is a TVA transmission line” and it will be a plus for the Board of Public Utilities, too. “Eagle Creek was not totally serving our system like it could and we needed this infrastructure. This gives us more options.”
It is a 40-year agreement and involved “lengthy negotiations…to get us to this point,” Wimberley said. The outcome of the negotiations “are very favorable for us”.
The deadline for the project to be in service is October 2026.
Wimberley explained during the meeting, “Construction of the new transmission line will be done in conjunction with a new TVA solar development on Hwy 140 East near Puryear. Because nine miles of transmission is needed to transport power from the solar installation to Eagle Creek where it will be sold to TVA, the solar developer will contribute $9.5 million toward construction.” Wimberley stressed, “This is not about solar power.”
Paris BPU will commit to the remaining $1 million to construct the tenth mile.
The formal interconnection agreement in its final form will be presented to the board at its regular July meeting later in the month.
Board President David Flowers said, “Congratulations to Terry and the staff on the negotiations.”
In other business:
–In response to recent state legislation, the Board approved a Public Comment Policy for meetings.
A period for public comment will be included on each month’s agenda. Under the policy, commenters will register on the Paris BPU website by noon on the day before a meeting and will have two minutes to address the Board.
Board Members noted that the policy for the most part formalizes what has always been practiced at meetings. “We’ve always allowed the public to attend and comment at our meetings,” Flowers said.
Photo: CEO Terry Wimberley explains the formal interconnection agreement. Photo by Shannon McFarlin.