SOO Green, a jointly owned transmission project being developed by energyRe and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, on Sept. 25 announced approval on the final municipal franchise agreement, giving the project an "all-clear" path to construction in Iowa.
The 350-mile underground transmission line would connect Mason City, Iowa, to Yorkville, Illinois, utilizing existing railroad corridors to avoid the environmental and land use conflicts typically associated with overhead lines.
The project connects two major electricity markets, MISO and PJM, ensuring the reliable transfer of renewable energy between the Midwest and Eastern U.S. markets, a news release said.
The project recently received approval from the town of Bellevue, meaning all 24 municipalities in Iowa that the project would run through have approved the agreement.
SOO Green is a 2,100-megawatt High Voltage Direct Current transmission line.
SOO Green is advocating for a more coordinated transmission investment process in Illinois that will lead to greater reliability for rate payers and lower costs, it said.
The project could begin construction as early as 2027 and commercial operation is targeted for 2031.
SOO Green is being developed in partnership with leading energy and infrastructure firms including energyRe, a US based energy developer focused on meeting rising electricity demand with affordable and reliable power, in addition to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Siemens Energy, Jingoli Power, Prysmian Group and PPL Corporation.
