Electric Transmission Planning in the State of Minnesota

The Capacity Validation Study was developed by Minnesota transmission-owning utilities to identify impacts to the electric transmission system in the state with the addition of new transmission infrastructure noted in other studies posted on the web site. The study is linked here:

Capacity Validation Study Report size: 752 kb
Capacity Validation Study Report - Appendices size: 876 kb
Upgrade Cost vs. Transfer graphs size: 984 kb

Presentation delivered to the Office of Energy Security's Reliability Administrator meeting on April 29, 2009

Presentation available here. size: 839 kb

To gather public input and participation in the planning of the electric transmission system, public meetings were held in the six different transmission planning zones of Minnesota. This 2007 meetings were held in an open house style format with different stations for the public to visit and a question and answer session with transmission project experts. The topics included general background information about the electric transmission planning process and specific details of several proposed transmission projects that are needed to correct deficiencies in the system. The 2007 meetings also had a brief general presentation (PDF).

For more information or to send comments or questions, please click on "Contact Us" at the top of this page. To request general information, please contact generalinfo@minnelectrans.com.

Background Information

Minnesota’s transmission system – the high voltage power lines that transmit electric energy from generation plants to local load and among utilities to ensure a high degree of reliability – is part of an overall regional transmission grid operated on a coordinated basis with other interconnected transmission systems throughout the Upper Midwest and Eastern United States. Historically designed to reliably deliver power to the major electric load centers such as the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Duluth, Mankato, Rochester and St. Cloud, and to interconnect utilities for reliability reasons, the transmission grid is now relied on more heavily. It acts as a regional “highway” providing the physical link between sellers and buyers, facilitates an ever-increasing amount of transactions among an increasing number of market participants, and over increasing distances. At the same time, it continues to serve a critical reliability role.

In August 2001, Minnesota Statutes were revise to include the requirement that each electric transmission owning utility in the State of Minnesota file a biennial transmission planning report. In 2001, the first Minnesota Transmission Projects Report was filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Although the report did not request certification of any transmission projects it does provide an excellent source for background information on the planning process used by the electric utilities in Minnesota.

In 2003, new state rules (Biennial Transmission Filing Rulemaking) associated with the new statute were adopted prescribing the process of soliciting public input into subsequent biennial planning reports, including the requirement for public planning meetings in different parts (zones) of the state.

Need for Improvements

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has concluded that ensuring that Minnesota consumers continue to enjoy the benefits of a reliable electric transmission infrastructure capable of providing those consumers with access to low-priced generation is the most significant electricity issue currently facing the state. Construction of new and upgraded transmission lines to deliver electricity has not kept pace with growth in consumption and increasing demand for reliability and power quality. (see Minnesota Energy Policy and Conservation Report Draft 2004 PDF).

The new Minnesota transmission planning process can help fill this need by providing the public and policy makers a better opportunity for meaningful input in the early stages of transmission planning. Through increased public participation and elimination of redundant individual certificate of need proceedings, the state transmission planning process is designed to provide a more expeditious review and certification of transmission projects in the public interest.

Minnesota utilities are working to develop a vision for transmission infrastructure investments needed in the state during the next 15 years. The effort is called CapX 2020, short for Capacity Expansion by the year 2020. For more information about CapX 2020, visit the web site.

2005 Report is now available

The 2005 Minnesota Biennial Transmission Projects Report was filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on November 1, 2005. The report can be downloaded below. Note that some of the appendices are separate files due to their size.
2005 Minnesota Biennial Transmission Projects Report (PDF)
Attachment 1 (PDF)
Attachment 2 (PDF)
Attachment 3 (PDF)
Attachment 4 (PDF)
Attachment 5 (PDF)