Xcel Energy and its partners recently received approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to move forward with its Mankato–Mississippi River Transmission Project.
The project, developed with Dairyland Power Cooperative, Rochester Public Utilities, and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, includes a 345 kV transmission line and an associated 161 kV that will deliver reliable electricity to Minnesota homes and businesses, reduce grid congestion that often leads to increased costs for customers and connect new renewable energy resources to the regional grid, Xcel Energy said.
The approval, which includes the project’s designated route, follows a comprehensive, multi-year regulatory review process.
The Mankato–Mississippi River Transmission Project (MMRT) will add about 120 miles of new and upgraded 345 kilovolt infrastructure between Mankato, Minnesota, and Kellogg, Minnesota, located near the Mississippi River.
An additional 20 miles of new 161 kilovolt infrastructure will be added between Pine Island and an existing transmission line northeast of Rochester enhancing reliability in the growing southeast Minnesota region.
"Together, the new investments will improve electricity transfer across the state, including areas in southwest Minnesota where available low-cost wind energy is often shut down due to the lack of transmission infrastructure available to deliver that energy to customers. Reducing this congestion within the grid improves efficiency and lowers overall energy costs," Xcel Energy said.
The route leverages existing transmission corridors in areas near Mankato and Faribault, including the CapX2020 corridor, as well as following other boundaries such as field, section and property lines.
These route choices balance reliability, cost and land use considerations while limiting new right-of-way needs, Xcel Energy said.
Xcel Energy developed the route in close consultation with landowners, local governments and community stakeholders. Two rounds of open houses, hearings attended by more than 1,000 landowners and several hundred public comments helped define the final route.
With route approval secured, Xcel Energy will move into final design, right-of-way acquisition and detailed permitting.
Construction will begin after remaining approvals are completed, with in-service timing to be shared as schedules are finalized.
Throughout this process, Xcel Energy will continue proactive outreach with landowners, local governments and community partners to ensure timely information, fair treatment and responsive engagement, it said.
