The project is a proposed 500kV line from the Canadian border to Minnesota’s Iron Range with a 345kV double circuit line from the Iron Range to near the city of Duluth in Minnesota.
The company had entered into a power purchase agreement with Manitoba Hydro to bring 250MW of energy for its customers in Minnesota.
Minnesota Power/ALLETE corporate communications manager Amy Rutledge said that the firm needs the transmission line in order to deliver that power.
A study area has been identified, but exact routes are yet to be determined, according to grandrapidsmn.com.
Rutledge said that there are some existing transmission lines in portions of the study area, but the firm needs to construct new lines that could carry the load purchased from Manitoba Hydro.
Following the required approvals from various concerned authorities, construction of the project is expected to begin in 2017, and be in service by 1 June 2020.
The Minnesota-based company supplies retail electric service to 144,000 customers and wholesale electric service to 16 municipalities in the state.
