Appleton to Benson 115 kV Transmission Line Project

Project Details

Docket Numbers
24-263
Project Name
Appleton to Benson 115 kV Transmission Line Project
Applicant
Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Agralite Electric Cooperative, and the city of Benson
Location
Description

The applicants propose to upgrade and construct approximately 29 miles of 115 kV transmission line in Swift County, Minnesota.

Status

Project Contact

Contact
Sam Weaver
Phone
651-539-1531

Project Summary

The applicants propose to upgrade and construct approximately 29 miles of  115 kV transmission line in Swift County, Minnesota.

The proposed project includes:

  • Upgrading approximately 18.3 miles of existing 41.6 kV transmission line.
  • Rebuilding or reconductoring approximately one mile of an existing 115-kV transmission line.
  • Constructing approximately 8.0 miles of new 115 kV transmission line.
  • Constructing an approximately 1.7-mile 115 kV transmission line from Great River Energy’s existing AG-BK 115-kV line to the Benson Municipal Substation.

In addition, the project includes constructing a new Appleton Substation and either relocating or expanding the Moyer and Danvers Substations. Improvements will also be made at the Shible Lake and Benson Municipal Substations to accommodate the new 115 kV transmission line.

Construction of the project is anticipated to begin in 2028. The project is anticipated to be in service in early 2030.

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Key Project Documents

Date Title Description
December 27, 2024 Certificate of Need and Route Permit Application for the Appleton to Benson Transmission Line Project Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail Power), Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (Western Minnesota) through its agent Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), Agralite Electric Cooperative (Agralite), and the City of Benson (together, the Applicants) submit this joint application for a Certificate of Need and Route Permit (Application) to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission or MPUC) to construct approximately 29 miles of new 115-kilovolt (kV) high voltage transmission line (HVTL) from the City of Appleton to the City of Benson in Swift County, Minnesota, referred to as the Appleton to Benson Transmission Line Project (Project).