Minnesota Power, Great River Energy plan transmission line for northern Minnesota
Seeking to secure electric reliability in northern Minnesota, Minnesota Power and Great River Energy announced a collaborative effort to plant a new transmission line between the former’s Iron Range Substation in Itasca County and the latter’s Benton County Substation.
Complementing this will be a replacement of the existing Great River Energy transmission line from Benton County to a new substation in Sherburne County.
In all, these efforts will culminate in an approximately 150-mile, double-circuit 365 kV transmission line stretching from northern to central Minnesota. It’s part of a larger group of 18 recently approved transmission projects by the region’s grid operator, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
“Investing in transmission resources is a critical component of our EnergyForward strategy for building a carbon-free energy future while maintaining the reliable service our customers and communities expect,” Josh Skelton, Minnesota Power COO, said. “This joint project with Great River Energy will ensure that the regional power grid our customers depend on will continue to be reliable and flexible as we navigate a changing energy mix for Minnesota Power and in the broader MISO region.”
Coordination between the utilities and landowners, local governments, agencies, Tribes, and others interested in the project should begin later this year. A series of open house meetings, workshops, and more will offer opportunities for community involvement in any planning and routing.
“Building the right transmission will ensure continued reliability as we transition our energy mix, prepare for increased electrification and build in more resilience to extreme weather and other consequential events,” Priti Patel, vice president and chief transmission officer for Great River Energy, said. “The right transmission will ensure we can make the transition to more low-cost renewable energy and maintain the reliability our members expect.”
An official Notice of Intent to Construct, Own and Maintain the transmission line is expected to be filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in early August. Once built, the partners maintain it will help maintain the grid as electrification spreads, more low-cost, renewable energy options are brought on and older fossil fuel power plants are retired.
