Delivering Tomorrow’s Energy

Each year, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) identifies critical transmission projects to improve the reliability and efficiency of the state’s electric grid. Among these is a new 500-kV transmission line – the Golden Pacific Powerlink – that SDG&E will build, own and operate, running between the existing Imperial Valley Substation and the border of San Diego and Orange Counties.

Addressing California’s
Energy Challenges

According to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), this new project is essential for California to achieve its ambitious carbon reduction goals and the resilience and modernization of the electrical grid in Southern California by offering a new, critical pathway in a currently constrained area. Increasing transmission capacity across the region will help integrate more clean energy, and expand access to resources in the Imperial Valley.

Transmission tower in rocky landscape

Opportunities for Participation

group of people

SDG&E understands the route of any new transmission line is one of the most important aspects of a project. While the route for the Golden Pacific Powerlink has not yet been determined, SDG&E is committed to a transparent, two-way public process to help shape it.

In the coming months, SDG&E will begin an extensive community engagement process where the public will have multiple opportunities to submit feedback on ways to ensure the project is built responsibly as part of the state and federal permitting process.

Built on a Legacy of Reliability and Safety

With more than 140 years of expertise building and operating critical energy infrastructure, SDG&E is well-positioned to deliver the Golden Pacific Powerlink safely and reliably. The project will leverage SDG&E’s industry-leading wildfire mitigation program, which has helped prevent major utility-related wildfires for nearly 18 years.

Contact Us

For questions or concerns regarding the Golden Pacific Powerlink, please e-mail the project team at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. This project will undergo a multi-year review by the California Public Utilities Commission and other federal and state agencies, with numerous opportunities for public input.

SDG&E will launch a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process, followed by detailed environmental and land use reviews and permitting. The CPUC and other agencies will make the final decision on the project route after this thorough process, during which the public can share feedback.

SDG&E is committed to transparency and will hold open houses and meetings with landowners and stakeholders to answer questions and gather input.

SDG&E will hold open house meetings in the coming months to gather community input on the project. During these meetings, we’ll share the potential, proposed route and provide opportunities for feedback and discussion.

We are committed to an extensive community engagement process, giving the public multiple opportunities to submit feedback and ensure the project is built responsibly.

A new 500-kV transmission line will boost grid stability and improve reliability by efficiently delivering large volumes of renewable energy into Southern California — helping to relieve congestion in an already constrained area. The project, including its start and end point, was determined by CAISO’s 2022-2023 Transmission Plan that analyzed the needs of the California grid for the next 15 years.

In the coming months, we will initiate extensive community outreach and engagement so the public is aware of this proposal and can participate in the regulatory process.

SDG&E plans to file an application with the CPUC in 2026. There will be a multi-year state and federal regulatory and environmental review process. A decision from the CPUC on the project is not expected until 2029.