We filed a transmission line Route Permit application in Minnesota
Big Stone South to Alexandria will ensure continued electric reliability and support grid resilience
On October 22 we filed a Route Permit application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for the portion of the proposed 345-kilovolt Big Stone South to Alexandria transmission line that will be located in Minnesota. We previously filed a Facility Permit application with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission for the South Dakota portion of the line on April 15, 2024.
“We’re excited to move forward with the next steps in developing the Big Stone South to Alexandria transmission line,” said Vice President, Asset Management, JoAnn Thompson. “This project is a crucial component of a regional transmission plan that has been identified to meet the growing energy needs of our customers while ensuring continued electric reliability, enhanced resiliency to extreme weather events, reduced transmission congestion, and increased access to low-cost energy.”
This line will bolster the regional transmission grid by connecting our existing substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota, with Missouri River Energy Services’ (MRES) existing substation near Alexandria, Minnesota. We’ll co-own the approximately 100-mile line with MRES and lead development and construction.
Many considerations go into routing a large high-voltage transmission line, and we’ve engaged with landowners, local government units, agencies, and other interested stakeholders over the past 18 months to develop our proposed route segments in the Route Permit application. The MPUC will solicit and consider public input and comments regarding the proposed route segments before ultimately selecting a route in the next 18 to 24 months.
Investing in grid resilience
Big Stone South to Alexandria represents the western segment of a larger upgrade referred to as the Big Stone South to Alexandria to Big Oaks transmission project. The eastern segment, known as the Alexandria to Big Oaks transmission line, is being developed by Xcel Energy on behalf of the co-owners, which include our company, MRES, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, and Xcel Energy. The MPUC unanimously approved the larger project’s Certificate of Need, as well as a Route Permit for the Alexandria to Big Oaks transmission line, in early October.
We anticipate Big Stone South to Alexandria to be in service by the end of 2031. For more information on the project and how to participate in the MPUC Route Permit process, visit bigstonesouthtoalexandria.com.