Power Delivery
The Power Delivery Division oversees 2,400 miles of transmission line and 227 substations on behalf of the 9 Member Cooperatives.
STEC operates and maintains transmission lines rated at 69,000 volts, 138,000 volts, and 345,000 volts. The lines and stations cover a 47-county area of South Texas, from Freeport on the Gulf Coast, west to Del Rio, and all the way south to Brownsville.
The substations convert the higher transmission voltages to distribution levels that the 9 Member Cooperatives use to serve member consumers. STEC and the Member Cooperatives work together closely to ensure reliability of service at a fair and economical price.
ERCOT
All of STEC’s assets are within the boundaries of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. ERCOT monitors the grid, authorizes the schedules for taking transmission lines out of service for maintenance, and issues instructions to generators and transmission and distribution service providers to keep the electric grid reliable.
ERCOT DashboardProjects get listed after the CCN application is filed at the PUCT, or 1 month before construction starts.
For questions about projects, contact Holly Gifford at (361) 485-6134 or interconnectprojects@stec.org.
Vegetation Management
Reliable operations of overhead electric lines can only be achieved if trees and vines are kept a safe distance from the conductors. Regulations require that STEC have a vegetation management plan that ensures that those safe clearances are maintained.
- Tree trimming and right-of-way mowing are the primary means of right-of-way maintenance.
- Right-of-way mowing is required to keep the vegetation small enough for line crews to access poles and conductors for inspection and to make repairs when storms cause damage. The targeted return period for right-of-way mowing is 5 years. In dryer years, that period may be shorter and in wetter years it may take longer than 5 years to mow all of the right-of-way in the system. The crews aim to shred brush to just above the ground line. Crops and pasture that is clear of trees and brush and used for agriculture are bypassed.
Tree trimming is scheduled annually in some locations, particularly where lines cross river and creek bottoms and along the coast where growth is faster. Most locations require tree trimming only every few years.
- Not only is it done to meet regulations, but vegetation management is an important part of wildfire mitigation as well. It helps reduce the amount of combustible materials under and around the lines.
If you have any questions about STEC’s right-of-way maintenance schedule please call (361) 485-6455 or email rowmaint@stec.org.
Interconnection Requests
Requests for interconnections to a developing generation resource shall be made to ERCOT.
Requests for interconnections of loads should contact their Member Cooperative who will coordinate with STEC if needed.