MIDWEST GRID OPERATOR APPROVES MAJOR TRANSMISSION BUILDOUT

By Christian Roselund

On 25 July, the board of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) approved a $10.3 billion investment in 18 high voltage transmission lines in its Midwest Region. These projects, which stretch from North Dakota to Michigan and south to Missouri, could support an estimated 53 gigawatts (GW) of solar, wind, and battery storage projects.

The projects have been presented as a means to preserve reliability as MISO’s supply mix shifts away from coal and towards renewable energy. MISO expects 9 GW of coal-fired power plants in its market area to retire over the next 17 years, while 39 GW of solar, 19 GW of wind, and 34 GW of natural gas-fired power plants are added.

MISO estimates that these 18 transmission projects will bring $23.2 – $52.2 billion in net benefits, mostly through congestion and fuel savings, as well as avoided capital costs of local resource investments.

According to UtilityDive, MISO expects some of these projects will begin to come online in 2028. MISO has provided a 2030 in-service date for all 18 projects. UtilityDive also notes that some of these projects will go through a competitive bidding process, and others will be assigned to utilities under state law. MISO plans to issue its first request for proposals under the competitive process on September 23.

These transmission projects represent the first phase of MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Plan.

Source: MISO Board Approves $10.3B in Transmission Projects (MISO)

News coverage: MISO board approves $10.3B transmission plan to support 53 GW of renewables (UtilityDive)