Second circuit of Fargo to Alexandria project to be added to existing infrastructure along I-94
A proposed power line expansion along Interstate 94 from North Dakota to central Minnesota will maintain a reliable electric grid by meeting the region’s growing electricity needs and continuing to improve reliability and save energy users’ money by accessing low-cost power.
On Jan. 16, five Upper Midwest energy companies applied to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a Certificate of Need to add a second transmission line circuit to the existing power line that runs mainly along Interstate 94 between Fargo and Alexandria. The line was originally built as part of the CapX2020 project, which was completed in 2015. All new infrastructure, including up to 100 new structures, will be added within the existing project right-of-way, minimizing impacts to landowners.
Project participants include Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Missouri River Energy Services, Otter Tail Power Company and Xcel Energy.
“We designed the original transmission line with the future in mind by building infrastructure that could be expanded when our customers and electric cooperative members needed it,” the energy providers said. “We will soon expand this important project without affecting any new landowners, limiting our overall impact while saving money for our customers and electric cooperative members throughout the region.”
The Fargo-to-Alexandria second circuit project will help enhance electric reliability and improve system resiliency in the Upper Midwest. To support economic growth in the region, energy providers in recent years have added new generation sources to serve customers. High-voltage transmission lines increase capacity to help deliver those resources from where they are generated to where they are used.
Planning for future needs The way energy companies generate electricity and provide service to customers and members of electric cooperatives and municipal utilities is changing, and new transmission lines like the Fargo-to-Alexandria project help meet the region’s needs. The project, along with other transmission lines in the region under development, will provide additional system resilience to deliver electricity during the hottest days of summer, coldest days of winter, and throughout extreme weather seen in the Upper Midwest. These projects will integrate new generation resources, strengthen the grid and continue delivering reliable, low-cost electricity. The PUC review process typically takes about a year and includes opportunities for input from customers, landowners, and other stakeholders. If approved, construction could begin in 2028, with the line expected to be placed in service around 2032. Similar applications will be filed in North Dakota with the Public Service Commission in early 2026.
Learn more about the Fargo to Alexandria project.
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About Great River Energy
Great River Energy, Maple Grove, Minnesota, is a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative that provides electricity to member-owner distribution cooperatives, serving more than 1.7 million member-consumers. Great River Energy owns and operates more than 5,100 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. The organization is on track to meet Minnesota’s goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 80% from 2005 levels more than 25 years before the 2050 target. Learn more at greatriverenergy.com/.
About Minnesota Power
Minnesota Power provides electric service within a 26,000-square-mile area in northeastern Minnesota, supporting comfort, security and quality of life for 150,000 customers, 14 municipalities and some of the largest industrial customers in the United States. More information can be found at www.mnpower.com.
About Missouri River Energy Services and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Missouri River Energy Services/Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA) MRES has a formal relationship with WMMPA through which WMMPA finances the construction and acquisition of the generation and transmission facilities for MRES members. MRES provides the administrative services to manage WMMPA’s portfolios. WMMPA was incorporated on June 16, 1976, as a municipal corporation and political subdivision of Minnesota. WMMPA’s membership includes most of the Minnesota members of MRES Missouri River Energy Services/Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (WMMPA) MRES has a formal relationship with WMMPA through which WMMPA finances the construction and acquisition of the generation and transmission facilities for MRES members. MRES provides the administrative services to manage WMMPA’s portfolios. WMMPA was incorporated on June 16, 1976, as a municipal corporation and political subdivision of Minnesota. WMMPA’s membership includes most of the Minnesota members of MRESWMMPA’s portfolios. WMMPA’s membership includes most of the Minnesota members of MRES. To learn more about MRES, visit mrenergy.com.
About Otter Tail Power Company
Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of investor-owned Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The company generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 133,900 customers in 422 communities across 70,000 square miles of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
To learn more about Otter Tail Power, visit otpco.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation, visit ottertail.com.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider, dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence. We make energy work better for customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar — delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.
We are committed to leading the clean energy transition, meeting our customers’ need for more, cleaner power, while keeping bills as low as possible. Because the people we serve depend on us to power their lives.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, we work every day to generate and distribute electricity and gas to customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com.
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