Minnesota Power, Great River Energy plan major transmission line project

Minnesota Power and Great River Energy announced their intent to build a 150-mile, double-circuit 345-kV transmission line from northern Minnesota to central Minnesota near Becker that will support grid reliability in the Upper Midwest.

The transmission line will run from Minnesota Power’s Iron Range Substation in Itasca County to Great River Energy’s Benton County Substation in Benton County, and then replace an existing Great River Energy transmission line from Benton County to a new substation in Sherburne County.

The utilities expect to file a Notice of Intent to Construct, Own and Maintain the transmission line with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in early August.

Planning for the approximately $970 million transmission line is in its early stages.

The MPUC will determine need and the final route and separately review cost recovery for Minnesota Power’s share of the project.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the transmission line is estimated to be in service by 2030. Minnesota Power and Great River Energy will begin coordinating with landowners, local governments, agencies, Tribal Nations and tribal organizations, and other interested parties in late 2022 and early 2023.

Engagement opportunities including open house meetings and workshops will offer the project community an opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the project planning and routing