Brookings Second Circuit

Proposal will add a second circuit to existing infrastructure to open up access for low-cost renewable energy as well as efficient delivery of energy.

Project Need:

The wind energy industry has grown tremendously over the last decade and the current system has reached capacity. In fact, the amount of generation that currently has access to the transmission grid is more than the grid can reliably deliver, which causes congestion along those lines, similar to a traffic jam on a highway.

Adding the second circuit to the existing infrastructure will open up more access for low-cost renewable energy to join the system on the western side, and more efficient delivery of that energy on the eastern side of the system.

Reducing congestion and adding the second circuit will enable more efficient use of the transmission system, letting more existing wind farms to deliver energy on this system, saving Minnesota electric customers about $60 million per year in costs related to system congestion.

Project Area:

We are just beginning the process to identify alternative routes for the project. In the coming weeks we will mail notifications to landowners and local governments within the Notice Area below.