Alexandria to Big Oaks 345 kV Transmission Line Project

Xcel Energy proposes to string approximately 105-108 miles of new transmission line on existing double-circuit capable structures running from the existing Alexandria Substation in Alexandria, Douglas County to Becker, Sherburne County where new transmission lines would cross the Mississippi River to facilitate the proposed Big Oaks Substation. The project is needed to provide additional transmission capacity, mitigate current capacity issues, and improve electric system reliability.

The Alexandria to Big Oaks project is the East segment of the larger Big Stone (in South Dakota) – Alexandria – Big Oaks 345 kV transmission line project which has applied for a certificate of need (CN-22-538) as one. This project comprises the East segment from Alexandria to Big Oaks which filed for a separate route permit application than the West Big Stone – Alexandria segment.

Stringing the existing structures requires new poles in a few places, but mostly will not require new infrastructure. The majority of the proposed route covers existing transmission line right-of-way except for four locations which will require new right-of-way:

1. The new 345 kV transmission line to tap into the existing Alexandria Substation;
2. A reconfiguration of the existing 345 kV circuit from Alexandria to bypass the Riverview Substation near the city of Freeport;
3. A bypass of the Quarry Substation near the city of Waite Park; and
4. A new crossing over the Mississippi River to connect a new 345 kV transmission line near Monticello to the new Big Oaks Substation west of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant in Becker, Minnesota. Two options are being considered with the length ranging from 0.7 miles to 2.1 miles.

The cumulative length of the first three areas is less than one mile total.