Southern California Edison has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for a transmission line that will deliver more solar-powered electricity to Southern California.

The PUC approved the Rosemead utility's proposal for the Devers Palo Verde2 line, which will cost $537 million, the Edison International company said in a statement late Friday. The project must also be approved by another regulator, the California Independent System Operator.

When completed in 2013, the project would transport an extra 1.2 gigawatts of power. SoCal Edison modified its original 270-mile proposal earlier this year after Arizona regulators rejected construction of the line in their state, saying they did not want to export additional power to California.

SoCal Edison and First Solar Inc. in August announced plans to build two photovoltaic solar projects, for a total of 550 megawatts, in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. First Solar of Tempe is a major producer of photovoltaic cells that can turn sunlight into electricity.

“This favorable decision from the CPUC is an important step in (SoCal Edison’s) ongoing efforts to strengthen the transmission grid in California,” said Les Starck, SoCal Edison vice president for local public affairs.

A 128-mile line will connect SoCal Edison’s Devers substation near Palm Springs to a proposed Midpoint switchyard near Blythe. The utility also will build a 42-mile line between the Devers substation and its Valley substation in Riverside County.

Edison International shares were up 75 cents, or 2 percent, to $33.79 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.