Massive Power Project Closes Colorado River To All Boats At CA-AZ Line

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — An ambitious project designed to boost the western U.S. energy grid has forced the closure of the Colorado River at the Arizona-California border as workers install powerlines across the waterway.

The river is closed to all boating traffic Jan. 23-30, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The agency is helping enforce the temporary shutdown with help from La Paz County, Arizona, deputies.

The construction project — dubbed Ten West Link — is a 125-miles-long 500kV high-voltage transmission line that will support the development of renewable energy infrastructure and energy storage resources in Arizona and California, according to California Environment Quality Act documents. The project is connecting electrical substations in Tonopah, Arizona, and Blythe, California.

"The new 500kV power line will improve transmission system efficiency and reliability while facilitating the development of new renewable energy and energy storage resources in Arizona and California. This will help both states achieve their renewable energy standards and carbon reduction goals," according to the project's website.

The project was developed by DCR Transmission, a partnership led by Lotus Infrastructure Partners (formerly Starwood Energy), a private equity firm specializing in energy infrastructure investments.

The U.S. Department of the Interior approved the transmission line’s construction in July 2022. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in January 2023. At the time, federal officials said, "This $280 million FAST-41-covered project is projected to be a renewable energy game-changer in the west, modernizing the energy infrastructure for millions across Arizona and California."

FAST-41 stands for the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, which was signed into law in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama. It is a funding and authorization bill to govern U.S. federal surface transportation spending.

The project permits at least 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands, according to federal officials.

"The Ten West Link Transmission Line project is projected to not only modernize the energy infrastructure in the area, but is also expected to strengthen grid reliability, improve efficiency, and potentially lower energy costs for consumers in both states," federal officials said.

The project is expected to become fully operational this year.