Wind Today - Q4 2008 - (Page 47) T ransmission According to Fordice, the last major high-voltage transmission upgrade was 30 years ago. Fordice says the project recently applied for a Minnesota Certification of Need (CON). A judge will decide the outcome of the CON by early 2009. At the peak of construction, Xcel Energy, one of the 11 utilities involved with the project, says customers could see a $2.25 per month increase in their bills. Fordice says CapX “It made sense for all the 2020 will help the state utilities to get involved with this meet its federal project.” Renewable Energy — Randy Fordice Standard (RES) requirements, which requires utilities to deliver 25% of their electricity • A 200-mile, 345 kV transmission from renewable resources by 2025. line between Brookings, SD and Twin Heather Ervin, associate editor Cities, MN. struction of four overhead transmission lines that span about 700 miles. The four transmission lines to be constructed as a part of CapX 2020 include: • A 70-mile, 230 kV transmission line between Bemidji, MN and Grand Rapids, MI. • A 150-mile, 345 kV transmission line between Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities), MN and Rochester, MN. • A 250-mile, 345 kV transmission line between Fargo, ND and Monticello, MN. Wind Energy According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Minnesota ranks ninth in the country for wind energy potential and currently produces about 1,370 MW of electricity. Fordice says the Brookings-Twin Cities line in conjunction with other existing transmission upgrade projects will provide approximately 1,900 MW of additional capacity for energy from area wind farms to be added to the transmission system. The utilities’ proposal involves installing overhead lines rather than putting them underground due to reliability and cost issues. Fordice says CapX 2020 is one of the largest transmission projects ever to be proposed in the state. “That’s a challenge in itself,” says Fordice. “We also have to communicate to everyone who might be impacted by the project and tell them how they can benefit from it.” Response No. 471 47 Utilities Involved in CapX 2020 • Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency • Dairyland Power Cooperative • Great River Energy • Minnesota Municipal Transmission Group • Minnkota Power Cooperative • Missouri River Energy Services • Otter Tail Power Company • Rochester Public Utilities • Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency • Wisconsin Public Power, Inc. • Xcel Energy http://www.uea-inc.com
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