Image by analogicus from Pixabay
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has selected a consortium of companies for two 765-kV transmission projects spanning over 200 miles in total, with a combined cost of over $1.6 billion.
The consortium includes Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI), a subsidiary of Ameren Corporation; GridLiance Heartland, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission; Dairyland Power Cooperative; and the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA).
The group will develop, build, operate and maintain two major transmission projects: Sub T – Iowa/Illinois State Line – Woodford County (STIW), and Woodford County – Illinois/Indiana State Line (WIIL). Together, both lines will span across Illinois from the Indiana border and into Iowa. ATXI and GridLiance will lead the development of these projects, while Dairyland and IMEA will own a portion of both projects when they are placed in service.
(Credit: Ameren Corporation)
The STIW project includes the construction of two new 765-kV transmission lines spanning approximately 149 miles. One 765-kV line will run from the Woodford County Substation west to the Iowa/Illinois state line, and the other 765-kV line will continue west from the Iowa/Illinois state line to the Sub T Substation in Iowa. The STIW project has a MISO estimated cost of $940 million.
The WIIL project includes the construction of two new 765-kV transmission lines that span a total of 88 miles and the construction of a new 765/345-kV substation. One 765-kV line will run east from the existing Woodford County Substation in central Illinois to the Illinois/Indiana state line. The other 765-kV line will run northeast from the Woodford County Substation for approximately 1.5 miles toward the existing Collins Substation before interconnecting with a separate 765-kV line segment. The WIIL project has a MISO estimated cost of $718 million.
Both WIIL and STIW are competitive projects in MISO’s Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 2.1 Portfolio, which was originally approved in December 2024. Both projects have expected in-service dates of 2034, following the regulatory review process and thorough stakeholder and community engagement.
ATXI, GridLiance, Dairyland and IMEA will have ownership stakes in both projects of 43%, 43%, 11% and 3%, respectively.
“Increasing transmission capacity on the grid is critical to improving resiliency, integrating new resources and supporting long‑term economic developments,” said IMEA CEO and President Doug Brown. “The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency is proud to be a partner on these projects.”
Ref: https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/power-grid/transmission/miso-plans-over-200-miles-of-new-transmission-across-illinois-for-1-6b/
