PROJECT

Greenfield 230-kV Transmission Line

Our team served as the engineering and construction management partner for a new 230-kV transmission line designed to improve reliability and support system changes for Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC).

We delivered end-to-end services, including consulting, engineering, permitting, real estate, public outreach and construction management for this new transmission line connecting the St. Cloud East and Magnolia Ranch North substations in Osceola and Orange counties. The project includes about 21 miles of new 230-kV line, with a three-quarter-mile underground segment designed to avoid a planned interstate highway crossing and address visual and corridor planning constraints. The project supports OUC’s broader system improvements in the Orlando and St. Cloud area, driven by the need to increase capacity and enhance reliability.

During planning, the team completed comprehensive system studies to define reliability drivers, evaluated 16 reinforcement alternatives and modeled seasonal loading conditions. Analyses included power flow, contingency and thermal assessments under summer- and winter-peak scenarios to identify the preferred reinforcement that met N 1 criteria and aligned with objectives. The OUC’s operational-selected solution supports its transition strategy, including retirement of the Stanton Energy Plant, integration of the Osceola Energy Plant, and new solar generation in the St. Cloud area.

Client

Orlando Utilities Commission

Location

St. Cloud, Florida

Region

Southeast

Services

Electrical Transmission & Distribution

Electrical Transmission

Overhead Transmission

Underground Transmission

Land & Right-of-Way Management

Permitting

Industry

Power

transmission line amid trees with herons on site

 

21

miles of 230-kV line

 

0.75

mile of underground transmission

access secured across

200

land parcels

Right-of-way acquisition, permitting and stakeholder coordination were managed as critical path activities. We acquired the necessary property interests from landowners in southeastern Orange and northeastern Osceola counties; and worked collaboratively to place the right-of-way in locations that respected landowner constraints, while accommodating planned roadway alignments and anticipated growth. Preliminary engineering included in-house cost estimating and economic analyses comparing material selections, structure framing, foundation types and constructability options, with scenarios evaluated for future expansion and increased loading from projected development.

During detailed engineering, we completed final conductor selection and structure design, foundation and grounding design, and verification of electrical clearances and loading criteria in accordance with NESC, IEEE and OUC standards. These activities were supported by comprehensive quality reviews that confirmed calculation accuracy, drawing consistency and compliance with applicable standards. Deliverables consisted of construction-ready drawings, material specifications, shop drawings, protection and relay coordination studies, SCADA and communications interface requirements, and procurement packages. We also conducted intense constructability reviews to confirm feasible structure configurations, access routes and installation methods; we also performed value engineering to refine material selections and foundation approaches.

Survey and land services continued through the detailed design phase. Our permitting team coordinated with federal, state and local agencies to secure required approvals and environmental clearances. Our environmental team prepared a comprehensive site development plan outlining construction sequencing, methods, traffic controls, erosion and sediment controls, and environmental protection measures. Land services involved easement negotiation and acquisition, rights of entry, parcel level documentation, delivery of GIS-ready electronic records, and hard-copy files for OUC asset management. 

For construction execution, our on-site construction manager was responsible for daily oversight, quality inspection, progress monitoring, safety and environmental compliance, and subcontractor coordination across overhead, underground, substation, civil and environmental scopes from mobilization through startup and commissioning.