Reconductoring for a Resilient California Grid: Accelerating Upgrades for a Clean Energy Future

As California drives toward a decarbonized and electrified future, its transmission grid must evolve to meet new challenges. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) has unveiled its 2024–2025 Transmission Plan, committing $4.8 billion to 31 crucial projects aimed at meeting growing electricity demand and integrating an expanded renewable energy mix. Among the key solutions: reconductoring critical transmission corridors with advanced, high-performance, low-sag conductors.

Reconductoring involves upgrading existing transmission lines with state-of-the-art conductor technologies, which boosts capacity and grid reliability without the need for costly and time-consuming new rights-of-way. This approach allows for rapid, scalable improvements to the grid, and companies like CTC Global – who are leaders in supplying and developing Advanced ACCC® Conductors – are at the forefront of this transformation, supporting utilities worldwide.

With California’s grid under increased pressure due to electrification, data center expansions, and climate-related stressors, CTC Global is ready to help utilities and transmission owners maximize the potential of reconductoring.

Enhancing Grid Capacity with Advanced Conductors

CAISO’s Transmission Plan highlights several reconductoring projects that are essential for improving grid performance and facilitating the integration of renewable energy. Key projects are located in high-demand regions such as the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Southern California, ensuring grid reliability as the state transitions to cleaner energy sources.

Notable projects include:

• Metcalf–Piercy & Swift and Newark–Dixon Landing 115 kV Upgrades (San Jose Area): These reconductoring projects will help manage growing electricity demand in Silicon Valley while enhancing grid resilience through advanced conductor technologies like ACCC®.
• Julian Hinds–Mirage 230 kV Reconductoring (SCE – Eastern Area): Serving as a vital corridor for solar and battery storage in Riverside County, this project will utilize ACCC® conductors to increase ampacity and reduce energy losses.
• GWF–Kingsburg and Eagle Rock–Fulton–Silverado 115 kV Upgrades (Fresno and North Bay): These upgrades will support the integration of renewable resources and contribute to California’s ambitious SB 100 clean energy goals.

CTC Global’s ACCC® Conductor technology plays a central role in these upgrades, doubling line capacity, reducing thermal sag, and improving system efficiency. These enhancements allow California’s utilities to deliver more renewable power faster and more affordably.

Supporting California’s Clean Energy Transition

Reconductoring not only helps meet California’s immediate grid reliability needs but also reinforces the long-term foundation of the clean energy transition. By leveraging existing transmission corridors, reconductoring minimizes environmental impacts and speeds up the permitting process, helping to meet California’s stringent climate goals.

The benefits for utilities and transmission owners using ACCC® Conductor technology include:

• Increased ampacity, reducing grid congestion and enhancing system reliability
• Lower line losses, improving operational efficiency
• Enhanced wildfire resilience due to stronger, lower-sag conductors
• Accelerated renewable energy integration, supporting California’s 100% clean energy objectives

CTC Global, based in California, is uniquely positioned to support state utilities in these critical reconductoring projects. The company has already partnered with various stakeholders across the state to ensure these upgrades are executed efficiently and on schedule.

Ratepayer Benefits: More Power, Lower Costs

The cost of these transmission upgrades – estimated at about 0.5 cents per kWh over their lifetime – is minimal when compared to the significant benefits they provide:

• Enhanced grid reliability, particularly during extreme heat events
• Faster integration of low-cost solar, wind, and battery storage technologies
• Reduced dependence on fossil-fuel generation
• Decreased grid congestion and less energy curtailment

By cutting system losses and congestion, reconductoring helps keep electricity costs affordable for consumers. This approach provides a timely, practical solution to deliver reliable, clean energy to Californians—without delays or added costs.

A Call to Action: Build Smarter, Faster

CAISO’s Transmission Plan reflects a strong commitment to proactive and cost-effective grid investment. Reconductoring, especially with advanced technologies like ACCC® Conductor, represents one of the fastest, most scalable methods to address California’s growing energy demand and clean energy goals.

CTC Global is proud to stand alongside California’s utilities, regulators, and policymakers as they work toward a sustainable, resilient energy future. The company is ready to support every stage of the reconductoring process, from planning and engineering to manufacturing and deployment.

The future of California’s energy system depends on bold, swift action – and CTC Global is here to help make it happen.