150-Mile Transmission Line Planned from Fargo to South Dakota

Otter Tail Power Co. and Xcel Energy announced plans for a 150-mile, 345-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Bison Substation near Fargo to the Hankinson and Big Stone South Substations in South Dakota. The project will traverse Cass and Richland counties in North Dakota and Grant and Roberts counties in South Dakota, with a right-of-way of 150 feet.

The companies are currently finalizing the route and obtaining necessary permits, with construction expected to start in mid-2030. This initiative is part of the Joint Targeted Interconnection Queue, aiming to optimize interconnections in the Southwest Power Pool and Midcontinent Independent System Operator regions, addressing current transmission line overloads. Approval from state public utility commissions is required.