SE Minnesota Included in $21.8B Regional Power Grid Upgrade

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Construction could begin soon on some major upgrades to the electric grid in southeastern Minnesota.

A consortium of electric power providers in the upper Midwest has won approval for a more than $20 billion portfolio of projects to upgrade the region's power transmission systems. Rochester Public Utilities and the Rochester-based Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency are both members of the group.

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Grid North Partners, formerly known as CapX2020, today announced that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator has approved a new set of high-voltage transmission projects, including several in the Rochester area, aimed at ensuring reliable service and the ability to deliver more renewable energy to meet rising demand. The approval covers a second set of projects in a long-range transmission plan known as Tranche 2.1 .

“These new transmission lines will help keep electric service reliable and affordable for homes, farms and businesses every hour, every day,” Grid North Partners said in a joint statement. “Being able to deliver bulk electricity across multiple states will help us ensure reliability for customers even when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.”

A news release indicates the $21.8 billion portfolio includes 24 projects throughout the Midwest, including the first 765-kilovolt transmission infrastructure in the upper Midwest. The new 765-kilovolt backbone transmission system will link substations in South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, southeastern Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The statement indicates the larger transmission line is capable of carrying the same amount of electricity as a half dozen 345-kilovolt lines.

In this region, the larger power transmission line will connect to the Pleasant Valley substation south of Rochester and the North substation located north of the city. In addition, the portfolio of projects includes a new 345-kilovolt line running from the Pleasant Valley substation to the North Rochester substation, as well as a 345-kilovolt line running from Hampton to the North Rochester substation.