MAPLE GROVE — Great River Energy and Minnesota Power filed for a certificate of need and a route permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to build a high-voltage transmission line.
The Northland Reliability Project is an approximately 180-mile, double-circuit, 345-kilovolt transmission line that will primarily follow existing transmission corridors, from Northern Minnesota to central Minnesota.
The jointly developed project, according to a news release, will maintain a reliable and resilient regional power grid as more renewable energy is brought online and existing coal plants are transitioned. Electrification continues to expand while extreme weather events become more frequent.
“The pace of change is upon us and we are laser focused on getting this line built to ensure reliability for our members and customers in northern and central Minnesota,” stated Priti Patel, Great River Energy’s vice president and chief transmission officer.
“We are proud to be developing this project responsibly at every juncture. We have gone to great lengths to engage with community members and critical leaders over the last year, understanding that no voice is more important than that of a cooperative member who will be hosting this project on their property.”
The two companies held nearly 30 public open houses and numerous stakeholder meetings over the past year, with public feedback reflected in the proposed route.
“Collaboration with other utilities is critical as we invest in the transmission needed to maintain a reliable and resilient grid in northeast Minnesota and the Upper Midwest,” stated Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Power’s vice president of transmission and distribution.
“Transmission is an integral part of Minnesota Power’s EnergyForward strategy for serving customers and communities as we work toward achieving both our vision and Minnesota’s energy policy goal of a carbon-free future. As energy resources change, the regional power grid that delivers energy needs to change, too. This project will help retain our outstanding reliability, provide system support as resources transition to different operating profiles, increase capacity, strengthen resiliency, and enhance grid flexibility.”
With regulatory approval, construction is expected to begin in 2027 with the new line operational in 2030.
The project cost is estimated between $970 million and $1.3 billion.
The pace of change is upon us and we are laser focused on getting this line built to ensure reliability for our members and customers in northern and central Minnesota.Priti Patel
The PUC will determine the need and the final route, and separately review cost recovery for Minnesota Power’s share of the project, which would help offset costs for customers and members.
Great River Energy anticipates by 2035, 90% of retail electric sales will be carbon-free, as utilities across the region are significantly increasing the amount of renewable energy they provide to customers, aligning with the Minnesota carbon-free standard.
Minnesota Power was the first utility in the state to deliver 50% renewable energy to customers in 2021, with plans to be more than 70% renewable by 2030.
