By Terry McDonald, May 12, 2011

Investment in power transmission infrastructure will range from $12 to $16 billion per year in the U.S. from now through 2030 and C$45 million cumulatively in Canada through 2030, according to an estimate released May 11 by consulting firm The Brattle Group.

The study was commissioned by WIRES (Working group for Investment in Reliable and Economic electric Systems), a non-profit trade association that promotes investment in electric transmission and progressive state and federal policies toward that end. 

The U.S. investment assumes that current barriers to planning, permitting, and cost recovery of regional transmission projects can be overcome. This level of investment is estimated to stimulate $30 to $40 billion in annual economic activity (sales and resales of goods and services) and support 150,000 to 200,000 full-time jobs each year over the 20-year period.

Once operational, the expanded transmission infrastructure will also enable additional economic activity, such as the construction of renewable generation projects, which is estimated to support an additional 130,000 to 250,000 full-time jobs in the U.S. during each year of the projected 20-year renewable generation construction effort. 

This Canadian grid infrastructure investment will support between 20,000 and 50,000 full-time jobs annually, the estimate said.

The Brattle Group is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with offices in San Francisco, Washington, Brussels, London, Madrid and Rome. Its industry practice includes electric power, natural gas, petroleum, transportation and several non-energy sectors. 

Image credit: Stefan Andrej Shambora via Flickr

This is a cross-post from EnergyBoom.com.

EnergyBoom is a global leader in energy news information, offering expert analysis on the world economy’s transition to cleaner, more efficient and more secure sources of energy. 

Original Post: http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/grid-transmission-investment-estimated-hit-300-billion-us-canada