Transmission Towers Coming Down On Chula Vista Bay Front

Thursday, 19 November 2009
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

San Diego Gas & Electric has begun removing 23 lattice steel transmission towers that supported the South Bay Power Plant, located on the waterfront of San Diego Bay in Chula Vista. 

The removal of the towers, which began on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, signifies the beginning of the end for the South Bay Power Plant, which is operated by Houston-based Dynegy Inc.  Dynegy plans on taking two of the plant’s power units offline January 1, 2010. The plant is designated as a “must run” facility by the California Independent System Operator (Cal Iso), which manages the state's power supply. It is anticipated that the designation may be removed in 2010. 

Once the “must run” designation is removed, Dynegy will take the remaining two power units offline, which would allow the plant to be decommissioned.  

Completion of the Otay-Metro Powerloop, a 52-mile 230-kilovolt transmission line that links the cities of Chula Vista, National City and San Diego, as well as the Silvergate Transmission Substation project, helped to add more generation and transmission capacity to the local electric grid.   Because of this, the steel transmission towers that dotted the bay front are no longer needed. 

The Port of San Diego has been working with the City of Chula Vista on a master plan to redevelop approximately 550 acres of the waterfront in Chula Vista.  The removal of the towers and the future decommissioning of the South Bay Power Plant will open up the area for improved views, access,visitor-serving uses and other development.

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