Minnesota transmission project to add renewables for reliability, utilities say
A new plan filed by several upper Midwest energy companies would help retire fossil-fuel based plants and move toward renewable energy.
The energy companies filed the plan with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Sept. 29. The plan covers a transmission project in Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota for a 345-kilovolt infrastructure project that will help reduce congestion, improve system reliability and add lower-cost renewable energy, officials said.
“This project will allow us to continue to operate a reliable transmission grid, bring low-cost, renewable energy to homes and businesses, further reduce carbon emissions and focus on meeting our customers’ energy needs,” the utilities said. “We look forward to working with our state regulators, landowners and local officials to make this project a reality.”
Call the Big Stone South-Alexandria-Big Oaks project, the plan consists of two segments, one running from Big Stone City, S.D. to Alexandria, Minn.; and another running from Alexandria to Becker, Minn. The proposed project will help ensure electric reliability, officials said, while improving system resilience in the Upper Midwest.
The utility companies jointly filed a Certificate of Need application for both segments and a Route Permit application for the eastern segment. The Route Permit application for the western segment is expected to be filed in 2024 after public outreach. Project participants include Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Missouri River Energy Services, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy.
