GridLiance West breaks ground on 155-mile Nevada transmission project set to add 1 gigawatt of grid capacity by 2028

GridLiance West, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, broke ground this week in Jean, Nevada, on one of the state’s most significant transmission infrastructure projects in recent memory. Federal, state, and local leaders gathered to mark the start of construction on the Core Upgrades Project — roughly 155 miles of new 230-kilovolt and 500-kilovolt transmission lines, along with new and upgraded substations spread across Nevada.

Project scope and timeline

The Core Upgrades Project runs on two voltage levels: 230-kilovolt and 500-kilovolt lines stretching about 155 miles across the state. It includes both new and upgraded substations, so this isn’t just about stringing new wire. It’s also about modernizing the switching and transformation infrastructure that keeps a grid actually working.

Construction wraps up by mid-2028. Once complete, the expanded network adds 1 gigawatt of capacity to Nevada’s electric grid — enough to meaningfully shift what the state can deliver to homes, businesses, and industrial customers, and to unlock energy resources that are currently out of reach.

New and upgraded substations are included, along with a partnership with Valley Electric Association and backing from federal, state, and local stakeholders.

Why the project is being built

Nevada’s existing transmission infrastructure needs both replacement and expansion. The state’s been growing steadily, and the grid hasn’t kept pace. The Core Upgrades Project is designed to close that gap, improving reliability and resilience for electricity users across the region.

A key partner is Valley Electric Association, a member-owned electric cooperative. CEO Robby Hamlin says that connecting to a larger transmission network through GridLiance West gives Valley Electric access to investment, expertise, and resources it couldn’t easily develop on its own — all while staying locally governed and focused on its members.

None of this came together quickly. Federal, state, and industry collaboration drove both the approval and the financing. Matt Valle, president of NextEra Energy Transmission, put it directly: “Today’s groundbreaking reflects what can be achieved through strong collaboration among industry, government and local communities.”

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo framed it as part of a longer-term play, calling it “another important step toward securing Nevada’s energy future and strengthening our position as the energy hub of the West.”

Economic and fiscal impact

The numbers are substantial. During construction alone, the project is expected to create 500 jobs — a real boost for a region where large-scale infrastructure work doesn’t come around often.

The longer-term fiscal picture is equally significant. Local communities stand to receive an estimated $90 million in property and sales tax revenue over the life of the project — money expected to flow toward schools, emergency services, and public infrastructure that communities along the corridor depend on every day.

Once the lines are energized and fully operational, the projected annual economic impact reaches $553 million. Katie Jereza, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, highlighted that figure at the groundbreaking, noting the upgrades “will boost local economies with construction jobs, annual economic impact and tax revenue.”

Background: Nevada’s grid and NextEra Energy Transmission

Nevada has been positioning itself as an energy hub for the western U.S. That ambition puts real pressure on transmission infrastructure — you can’t move power you can’t carry. As industrial investment grows and renewable generation expands across the region, the need for high-capacity lines becomes more urgent.

GridLiance West’s parent company, NextEra Energy Transmission, operates more than 3,200 miles of transmission lines across 19 states and Canada. The company describes itself as one of North America’s leading competitive transmission companies, with a track record on complex infrastructure, and the Core Upgrades Project fits squarely in that portfolio.

The DOE’s Office of Electricity presence at the groundbreaking signals more than ceremonial interest. Federal investment in grid modernization has been a policy priority, according to th Bureau of Land Management, and Jereza’s participation makes clear that the DOE sees this project as aligned with broader national goals around energy reliability and industrial competitiveness.

That national context matters. Aging transmission infrastructure is being flagged as a bottleneck across the country — both for integrating renewables and for supporting industrial growth that needs dependable, affordable power. Nevada’s Core Upgrades Project is one piece of a much larger puzzle.

500 construction jobs

Here’s the short version: GridLiance West has broken ground on a 155-mile, multi-voltage transmission project in Nevada that’ll add 1 gigawatt of grid capacity when it comes online in mid-2028. New and upgraded substations are included, along with a partnership with Valley Electric Association and backing from federal, state, and local stakeholders.

On the economic side, expect 500 construction jobs, roughly $90 million in local tax revenue, and a projected $553 million in annual economic impact once operational. For Nevada — a state actively working to cement its role as a western energy hub — this is a serious infrastructure commitment with consequences that extend well beyond the construction phase.

Kelly Lippke

Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.