NAICS 221121 Quarterly Industry Report
Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 221121Sector: Utilities (22)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (NAICS 221121) draws on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5], U.S. Census Bureau, and SBA size standards database[6]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, electric utility analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the electric bulk power transmission and control industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (NAICS 221121) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating electric power transmission systems and controlling the flow of electricity from generating sources to distribution centers or electric utilities per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. Transmission systems include high-voltage lines operating at 69 to 765 kilovolts, transformer stations, switching stations, and control centers that manage power flows across three major interconnected grids: the Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, and ERCOT (Texas).
Investor-owned electric companies spent $32.6 billion on transmission investment in 2024, up from $30.0 billion in 2023, reflecting grid expansion needed for renewable energy integration and load growth per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]. American Electric Power operates roughly 39,000 miles of transmission lines including ultra-high-voltage 765 kilovolt corridors, while Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns about 28,400 miles of transmission infrastructure. Regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs) coordinate power flows across multi-state areas.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the size standard is 950 employees. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates interstate wholesale electricity transmission rates and open-access requirements. Transmission congestion limits how much generation can reach high-demand areas, creating locational price differences that affect power market economics. Aging infrastructure built primarily between 1960 and 1990 requires ongoing replacement and upgrading. Renewable energy growth in remote wind and solar resource areas has created urgent demand for new long-distance transmission corridors that take a decade or more to permit and construct.
What's Included in This Industry
- High-voltage transmission line operations
- Transformer station and substation management
- Grid control center and dispatch operations
- Power flow monitoring and system protection
- Transmission system maintenance and repair
- Interconnection management between grids
- Open-access transmission tariff administration
- Transmission planning and capacity studies
- Vegetation management along rights-of-way
- Emergency restoration and storm response
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Utilities | 22 |
| Subsector | Utilities | 221 |
| Industry Group | Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 2211 |
| NAICS Industry | Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution | 22112 |
| National Industry | Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control | 221121 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 221122 | Electric Power Distribution | Electric Power Distribution receives bulk electricity from transmission systems at substations and delivers it to retail customers through lower-voltage local networks of poles, wires, and meters |
| 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation feeds electricity into transmission systems from gas and coal plants, with transmission capacity determining how much generation can reach market from each plant location |
| 221114 | Solar Electric Power Generation | Solar Electric Power Generation connects to transmission at grid substations, with remote solar farm locations often requiring new transmission line construction to deliver output to demand centers |
| 221115 | Wind Electric Power Generation | Wind Electric Power Generation in rural areas depends on transmission buildout to carry output to distant population centers, with queue backlogs delaying interconnection for years at many projects |
| 237130 | Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | Power and Communication Line Construction builds new transmission corridors, tower installations, and substation facilities that expand the high-voltage grid to serve growing generation and load |
| 335311 | Power, Distribution, and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing | Power Transformer Manufacturing produces high-voltage transformers installed at transmission substations, with long lead times for large power transformers creating supply chain bottlenecks during grid expansion |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 15.7% | 55 |
| 2 | Illinois | 9.1% | 32 |
| 3 | Ohio | 7.7% | 27 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 7.4% | 26 |
| 5 | Maine | 6.5% | 23 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 6.0% | 21 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 3.7% | 13 |
| 8 | California | 3.4% | 12 |
| 9 | Minnesota | 3.1% | 11 |
| 10 | Louisiana | 2.9% | 10 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What companies operate electric transmission systems?
American Electric Power operates 39,000 miles of lines, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns 28,400 miles. Regional operators include Duke Energy, Southern Company, and public power authorities per the U.S. Census Bureau[4]. RTOs and ISOs coordinate flows across multi-state regions.
How much is invested in transmission annually?
Investor-owned utilities spent $32.6 billion on transmission in 2024, up from $30.0 billion in 2023 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]. Growth reflects grid expansion for renewable energy integration and rising electricity demand from data centers.
What is the SBA size standard for Power Transmission?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], NAICS 221121 has a size standard of 950 employees. This determines eligibility for SBA loans, federal contracting set-asides, and small business programs.
What NAICS codes are related to power transmission?
Related codes include NAICS 221122 (Distribution), NAICS 221112 (Fossil Fuel), NAICS 221114 (Solar), NAICS 221115 (Wind), and NAICS 237130 (Power Line Construction) per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
How is transmission regulated?
FERC regulates interstate wholesale transmission rates and open-access requirements. State public utility commissions oversee intrastate transmission. Regional transmission organizations coordinate power flows across multi-state areas.
What activities are included in NAICS 221121?
Core activities include high-voltage line operations, substation management, grid control, power flow monitoring, system maintenance, interconnection management, tariff administration, transmission planning, vegetation management, and storm restoration per the U.S. Census Bureau[4].
Can transmission businesses get SBA loans?
Yes, firms meeting the 950-employee standard qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[7] covering substation construction, line upgrades, and working capital. Small transmission cooperatives and independent operators are the most likely qualified applicants.
Why is new transmission construction difficult?
Permitting new lines takes a decade or more due to environmental reviews, landowner negotiations, and multi-state regulatory approvals per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]. Right-of-way acquisition and community opposition add delays that bottleneck renewable energy delivery from remote generation sites.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [6]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [7]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [8]504/CDC loans sba.gov
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