After much work to strengthen and reinforce the electric system over the last 3 years in Central Alberta with new transmission lines, AltaLink is now proposing to remove some old lines.
 
As Vice President of Communications Scott Schreiner explains they're looking at two projects that will remove a total of roughly 85 kilometers of line. “We’re removing 138 KV lines between Red Deer and Innisfail and then again lines between Wetaskiwin and Lacombe. First we need to talk to the landowners along these projects and we’re doing that now, we need to file an application with the Alberta Utilities Commission, they’re our regulator to make sure they are ok with the plans we’ve put in place and if they do approve that we expect to begin the salvage, or removal of those lines in the fall of 2017."
 
Schreiner says Central Albertans are now enjoying a more reliable power supply thanks to new 240 KV lines, which allows them to free up some of the land, which especially in agricultural areas can be a big benefit.
 
It's estimated it would take AltaLink about a year to complete the removal project.