SWIP-North

SWIP-North

The Southwest Intertie Project-North (SWIP-North) is a 500-kilovolt transmission line project that will help Idaho Power meet customers’ growing needs by importing energy from the Desert Southwest. It is a low-cost option for covering peak energy demand, especially during cold winter days.

This 285-mile line will run from eastern Nevada to Idaho Power’s Midpoint Substation near Jerome, connecting Idaho Power customers to power generated in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and surrounding states. Combined with additional local energy resources and other transmission projects Idaho Power is developing, SWIP-North will help Idaho Power continue our tradition of safely providing reliable, affordable energy.

A graphic with a map showing the SWIP-North route between Ely, Nevada, and Twin Falls, Idaho; an arrow showing south-to-north flow of energy; and text reading "285-mile, 500-kV transmission line."

Idaho Power’s involvement in SWIP-North allows us to import power from south to north. Our interest in the project does not involve exporting energy from north to south.

SWIP-North’s developer is Great Basin Transmission, LLC, an affiliate of LS Power. The project is not affiliated with Lava Ridge wind project, a separate and independent project LS Power is developing.

The SWIP-North project is the final segment of the larger SWIP project, which began decades ago. The urgency of completing the project has grown as growing energy demand across the western United States strains the grid. Much of the preliminary work on siting and permitting SWIP-North has been completed.

Idaho Power expects construction of the project to commence as early as 2025 and take approximately two years to complete.