A reliable, resilient, flexible energy grid.
A reliable, resilient, flexible energy grid.
A reliable, resilient, flexible energy grid.
A reliable, resilient, flexible energy grid.
Because the energy resources we use to serve our customers and members are changing, the regional power grid we use to deliver that energy needs to change too.
The Northland Reliability Project will support a reliable and resilient local and regional power grid as more renewable energy is brought online; existing power plants are retired; homes and businesses increase demands for electricity; and more frequent extreme weather events occur.
Current activities
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Landowner resources
We work closely with landowners to answer questions and solicit input, and negotiate and gather necessary land rights. What to expect
Project components
The project consists of two major segments and some additional project improvements:
Segment one: New double circuit 345-kV line
Build about 140 miles of new 345-kV double-circuit transmission lines, generally located near existing transmission line corridors, from Minnesota Power’s Iron Range Substation in Itasca County to Great River Energy’s Benton County Substation in Benton County near St. Cloud.
Segment two: Replace two existing transmission lines
- Replace an approximately 20-mile 230-kV line with two 345-kV circuits from Benton County Substation to a new substation named Big Oaks Substation in Sherburne County along existing transmission corridors on double circuit 345-kV structures. The Big Oaks Substation will be built as part of a separate project called Alexandria to Big Oaks.
- Replace an approximately 20-mile 345-kV line from the Benton County Substation to the Sherco Substation in Sherburne County along existing transmission corridors using double-circuit 345-kV structures.
Additional project improvements
- Expand the existing Iron Range Substation near Grand Rapids and the Benton County Substation near St. Cloud.
- Install a new substation at or near the existing Riverton Substation and reconfigure existing transmission lines in the Riverton area.
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Project benefits
The Northland Reliability Project will support continued reliable electric service in northern and central Minnesota, as well as the greater Upper Midwest region. It will:
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System support
Provide system support as fossil-fueled baseload generation is retired.
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Increase capacity
Facilitate increased capacity to safely and reliably deliver clean energy from where it’s produced to where it's needed by our customers and members.
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Strengthen resiliency
Enhance system resiliency during extreme weather events.
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Enhance flexibility
Meet future energy needs by enabling the transfer of many types of power generation and locations to meet the needs of our customers and members.
Construction schedule
In the fall of 2025, construction activities began along the southern portion of Segment two. Pre-construction activities have begun in Segment one and construction on this segment will begin in the fall of 2026.
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