The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved Southern California Edison’s application to build the first segment of the Tehachapi renewable transmission project.

When all phases are developed, the Tehachapi project will include a series of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission lines capable of delivering 4,500 megawatts of electricity from wind farms and other generating companies.

SCE has proposed constructing the project in 11 segments to coincide with the development of independently owned wind farms. Thursday’s decision approves the first of three segments, pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service.