Summary - Transmission Infrastructure West 2026 (3rd Annual). Online registration by Cvent

Background and Objective

The Western US power system is undergoing a period of rapid change. Electricity demand is increasing at an unprecedented pace, driven by the growth of electric vehicles, industrial electrification, and the expansion of large-scale data centers. At the same time, significant volumes of renewable energy are being developed across the region, including solar in the Southwest, wind in the Great Basin, and hydro resources in the Northwest. These simultaneous trends are creating new chalkenges for transmission networks, as existing infrastructure and planning timelines struggle to keep pace with evolving system requirements.

Against this backdrop, the 3rd Annual Conference on Transmission Infrastructure West, will take place on November 4-5, 2026, at Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, San Francisco. The conference will address the grid challenges across the Western region, as transmission becomes central to delivering a reliable, resilient and affordable energy system.

The agenda will cover the changing operating environment for transmission systems, including the challenges associated with aligning long development cycles with near-term demand growth. It will also explore the policy and regulatory initiatives that impact transmission planning, investment, and permitting processes.

Market evolution will be another key area of discussion, particularly the development of new regional market structures and their implications for coordination, congestion management, and interregional transmission investment. The conference will also examine the role of technology in enabling grid expansion, including advanced transmission solutions, digital infrastructure, and the application of artificial intelligence in planning and operations.

Persistent constraints around siting and permitting will be addressed, along with community enegagement approaches needed to support large-scale infrastructure buildout. Climate resilience remains a critical priority across the Western region and the conference will discuss approaches to strengthening grid infrastructure and improving system response.

The conference will conclude with a discussion on priorities for the Western grid through 2030, identifying key actions required to support a reliable, flexible, and economically sustainable transmission system.