Archive - Great River Energy

Great River Energy, Apex Clean Energy close deal to advance Minnesota wind project

Power generation resources, Renewable energy /

Great River Energy finalized a power purchase agreement and surplus interconnection service agreement with Apex Clean Energy for the 300-megawatt Big Bend Wind project in southern Minnesota. This deal employs a groundbreaking strategy that uses Great River Energy’s existing injection rights with the region’s grid operator, MISO, to bypass traditional interconnection challenges and accelerate development […]

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Preparation pays off during cold snap

Power generation resources, Transmission /

While member-consumers experienced temperatures as low as 35 below zero in early January, their electric service remained dependable. The region’s grid operator, MISO, implemented conservative operations Jan. 17-22, which required MISO members such as Great River Energy to delay non-essential maintenance. It also signaled that grid conditions may require special attention in the event of

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Meeting the membership where they are

Cooperatives, Member-owner cooperatives, Power generation resources, Transmission /

Great River Energy leadership traveled north and south to share information, discuss strategies with hundreds of member-owners Great River Energy is owned by 26 member-owner cooperatives. Each one of them is governed by a local board of directors that is elected from and by the membership. Hundreds of those leaders of Minnesota’s electric cooperatives gathered

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Great River Energy, ITC Midwest and Xcel Energy move forward with Upper Midwest’s first 765-kV electric transmission backbone

Company news, Transmission /

Project will bolster regional reliability and minimize environmental impact Several energy providers launched their plan to provide long-term electric reliability for customers by developing the Upper Midwest’s first 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission project, which will meet the significant growth in electricity use projected in the coming decades and improve access to new energy sources needed to

Great River Energy, ITC Midwest and Xcel Energy move forward with Upper Midwest’s first 765-kV electric transmission backbone Read More »

Minnesota Power, Great River Energy receive key regulatory approvals to build 345-kV transmission line for reliable, resilient grid

Company news, Transmission /

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission today approved the Certificate of Need and Route Permit for Minnesota Power and Great River Energy’s jointly owned high-voltage transmission line to bolster electric reliability in northern and central Minnesota and support the regional clean energy transition. The Northland Reliability Project is an approximately 180-mile, double-circuit, 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line

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Great River Energy secures hundreds of millions in federal funding

Company news, Initiatives, Power generation resources, Renewable energy /

Great River Energy and a consortium of its member-owners have officially secured a significant $812 million in funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, marking the culmination of nearly two years of dedicated effort by Great River Energy and its member-owners. This achievement represents the largest New

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Co-op receives national, statewide accolades

Company news /

Great River Energy recognized for commitments to workplace equality, well-being efforts and community outreach Great River Energy was recently notified of several recognitions it received related to the cooperative’s dedication to employees and the communities where it serves and operates. ‘Equality 100 Award’ designation Great River Energy received a score of 100 on the Human

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Special foundations used for transmission lines crossing swampy land

Safety, Transmission /

Great River Energy crews installed 11 special foundations known as “helical bucket piles” on the Portage Lake to Palisade power line project due to the lines crossing swampy land. Typical wood pole construction entails drilling a large hole, about 3 feet wide by 15 to 20 feet deep, and setting the pole in the open

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Legislatures feature new faces, opportunities in 2025

Cooperatives /

Following a contentious election season, Minnesota and North Dakota legislators are back to work in their respective state capitols for their 2025 legislative sessions. Great River Energy will be keeping a close eye on the happenings of the legislatures and taking the time to educate new and returning elected officials while advocating on behalf of

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