Project Segments
Four Segments, One Project
The project is organized into four segments between the existing Wilmarth Substation located in Mankato, Minnesota, and a connection point at the Mississippi River near Kellogg. The segments include both new and upgraded lines. Explore our interactive map below, then learn about our Routing Process and Regulatory Process.
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Segment 1: Mankato to Faribault
Build about 40 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines in existing transmission corridors between the Wilmarth Substation near Mankato and near the West Faribault Substation in Faribault.
Segment Owner: Xcel Energy
Segment 2: Faribault to Pine Island
Build about 35-40 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines in either a new corridor and/or in existing transmission corridors from near the West Faribault Substation to the North Rochester Substation near Pine Island.
Segment Owner: Xcel Energy
Segment 3: Pine Island to Kellogg
Convert about 26 miles of 161 kV line to 345 kV line and install about 16 miles of new 345 kV line on existing structures between the North Rochester Substation and the Mississippi River.
Segment Owners: Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Rochester Public Utilities, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Segment 4: Rochester Connector
Build about 20 miles of a new single-circuit 161 kV line from the North Rochester Substation to an existing transmission line northeast of Rochester.
Segment Owners: Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Rochester Public Utilities, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency
Segment Owners
Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Rochester Public Utilities and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency are developing this project to serve southern Minnesota. Xcel Energy will develop and own the infrastructure in segments 1 and 2, while all project partners will participate in segments 3 and 4. All segments will be permitted together.
Routing Process
Our route selection process is a multi-step analysis that identifies route alternatives with minimal impacts to humans and the environment. The routing process generally includes:
Preliminary routes were evaluated to identify potential impacts, including proximity to residences, opportunities to share corridors (including roads and other transmission lines), impacts to agriculture, locations of protected lands and resources, aesthetics, and other concerns.
We held public open houses in May and collected feedback on the preliminary route options.
Once preliminary routes were identified, we gathered input from the public, local governments, Tribes and resource agencies to help refine the preliminary routes. Your feedback about specific constraints or challenges on preliminary routes, or identification of alternative route opportunities, was especially helpful as we developed the project. This feedback was considered in the preliminary routes, which underwent a more detailed comparative analysis.
Refined route options were presented in September 2023 - view the Events page to the view meeting materials.
The refined routes developed in the previous step were included in our combined Route Permit and Certificate of Need application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. There will be opportunities to comment on the application and other regulatory activities for this project. Find out more in the Permitting Process section below.
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Upcoming Events
In the coming months, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings as part of the route application review process.
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