Big Stone South to Alexandria to Big Oaks
Project Overview
Construction will begin in 2025 on the Alexandria-Big Oaks eastern segment that will add a new transmission circuit to the existing 345 kV transmission structures that run mainly along Interstate 94, part of the CapX2020 Fargo-St. Cloud/Monticello project. The Alexandria to Big Oaks segment will connect to the existing substation near Alexandria and the new Big Oaks substation near Becker.
The transmission structures along Interstate 94 were built as ‘double-circuit capable’ to accommodate a project such as this, which will minimize the need for additional easements from landowners. A short one- to four-mile segment of new construction will connect the 345-kV transmission line from the Alexandria Substation to the new Big Oaks Substation. Participating utilities include Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Missouri River Energy Services, Otter Tail Power Company, and Xcel Energy.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the project in late 2024.
Big Stone South-Alexandria
The Big Stone South-Alexandria western segment will connect Otter Tail Power Company’s 345-kV substation in Big Stone, South Dakota, to a 345-kV substation owned by Missouri River Energy Services in Alexandria, Minnesota. Otter Tail Power Company and Missouri River Energy Services, the companies leading this portion of the project, will work closely with landowners, communities and local officials to identify potential routes and develop a Route Permit application overseen by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
The Route Permit application was submitted to the Public Utilities Commission in late 2024. Additional information on that project is located here.
Project Details
- The current transmission system in western and central Minnesota is at capacity, which can cause reliability concerns for customers. Expanding the transmission system that connects into the region’s larger grid will help ensure long-term reliability and provide additional capacity throughout the region, better connecting eastern South Dakota and western and central Minnesota.
- The Alexandria-Big Oaks segment (the project’s eastern segment) will primarily be added to infrastructure within the existing easement.
- The project will need between 1 and 4 miles of new right-of-way, which we expect to be located on Xcel Energy property.
Typical Structures
Double Circuit Capable
Project Construction Schedule
- Open houses to discuss project and new route options to connect to the Big Oaks substation near the existing Sherco power plant: Second Quarter 2023
- Certificate of Need and Route Permit filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MN PUC): Third Quarter 2023
- MN PUC reviews Certificate of Need and Route Permit; decision expected in Summer/Fall 2024: Third Quarter 2023 - First Quarter 2024
- Engineering and design; easement negotiations with landowners: 2024 - 2025
- Add second circuit to transmission line; build new infrastructure, including Big Oaks substation and expand existing Alexandria substation: 2025 - 2030
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