Spanning an area about 173 miles, the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project will help deliver electricity from renewable wind energy generators in Kern County and produce enough energy to power 3 million homes in Southern California when it is completed in late 2016. 

The Tehachapi project by Southern California Edison (SCE) includes new and upgraded electric transmission lines and substations equaling 250 miles between eastern Kern County and San Bernardino County. The project plays a vital role in meeting California’s renewable energy goal of 33 percent by 2020.

In this video and images, a helicopter pulls two double-circuit, 500-kilovolt lines across the 57 freeway on Nov. 2 in the city of Diamond Bar. The 57 freeway was closed briefly so the work could be completed safely. This work along the 57 freeway will continue for another two weeks. 

The Tehachapi project will provide a crucial link to tap into wind, solar and other sources of energy for Californians. Once energized, the project will help address constraints on the region’s electric system by providing additional capacity and flexibility. The project will also significantly boost electric reliability for SCE’s customers.