Skyway Transmission Line Project
Project Overview
Xcel Energy is working with Google and Ryan Companies to provide energy services to a new proposed data center on the city’s northeast side. As part of the energy service needed for the proposal, a Route Permit application has been submitted for a new 1.2-mile, double-circuit 345/345-kilovolt transmission line that would connect the existing North Rochester Substation to the proposed data center site.”
If approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the project will provide reliable electric service to the new data center and support continued economic development and investment in the Pine Island community.
Project Resources
MPUC Public Meeting Notice - Sept 2026 (Opens in a new window) Easement and Right of Way Information Sheet (Opens in a new window) Safety Around Power Lines (Opens in a new window) Birds and Power Lines (Opens in a new window) Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) (Opens in a new window) Transmission Construction (Opens in a new window)Project Details
The new transmission line is intended to provide electric service to the data center development. The line would provide the dedicated connection needed to serve the data center load while leveraging the existing North Rochester Substation.
Proposed Route
The proposed project route begins at Xcel Energy’s North Rochester Substation, located just north of Pine Island in northern Olmsted County, Minnesota, and extends to the proposed Google data center site on the northeast side of Pine Island. The route spans approximately 1.2 miles.
Current Status
Xcel Energy has been working with local municipalities, landowners, and other key stakeholders to discuss land use issues. Xcel Energy filed a Route Permit Application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) in 2026.
Following the public meetings held in June, 2026, the MPUC is holding another round of in-person and online public meetings on Sept. 14, 2026, and Sept. 15, 2026, to provide an opportunity for public comment before a final route determination is made. Review the MPUC public meeting notice here.
In person
Date: Monday, Sept. 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Pine Island American Legion
108 1st Ave SE
Pine Island, MN 55963
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3ckjxcoNwdQi2CpC9
Online
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join by WebEx (Webinar) Link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m27844859a90147e68c8a08212faaaec7
Webinar Number: 2486 478 6456
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 when dialing from a phone)
Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0003 Access Code: 2486 478 6456
Timeline
- File a Route Permit application with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and begin working with local governments and landowners around the same timeframe: 2026
- Commission review decision expected: Late 2026/Early 2027
- Construction is slated to begin: 2027
- Target completion date for construction: Late 2028