The Emerald Substation project, located in eastern St. Croix County, Wisconsin on the boundary of the Town of Emerald and the Town of Baldwin, is designed to enhance the reliability and safety of Xcel Energy’s transmission infrastructure while meeting the region’s growing electrical demand.
The project will replace aging substation equipment in the area that are reaching the end of their expected lives and will update the infrastructure to meet current electrical standards for operations and safety.
The Emerald Substation is independent of other projects in the area and is not associated with other generation projects being proposed in the area. The project is needed to update the existing infrastructure and build a new substation in order to maintain long-term system reliability.
Typical Structures
For this project, Xcel Energy will be replacing one mile of poles (approximately 40 structures). The poles will be similar height to the existing structures but will be transitioned into single circuit poles (instead of double wood poles).
Xcel Energy has begun working with local landowners, local governments, and other key stakeholders. Xcel Energy intends to file a Certificate of Authority (CA) with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) in Spring 2025. If approved by the PSCW, initial construction activities are anticipated to begin in 2027 and continue through 2029. Landowners and community members can provide comments in the contact form below.
To support anticipated electric growth and ensure continued reliability and safety, Xcel Energy is proposing to construct a new 161/115 kilovolt (kV) substation and associated facilities. The proposal includes rebuilding approximately one mile of existing double circuit transmission line south of County Road DD. The project allows for the removal of an existing nonstandard 3-way switch and addresses space constraints at the existing Pine Lake North Substation. The single circuit 115 kV transmission line would be rebuilt in the same right-of-way as the existing double circuit 161/115 kV transmission line.
Xcel Energy proposes constructing and placing the following facilities in operation:
Proposed Project Location
Xcel Energy proposes to locate the Emerald Substation on property purchased along County Road DD. The proposed transmission line rebuild will use the existing line route. In this location, Xcel Energy owns the right-of-way adjacent to County Road DD where the existing line is located and where the new line will be built
