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Transmission and Distribution

Generating energy is the first step in providing electricity to our customers. The second step is to safely, efficiently, and reliably deliver that electricity via our wholly or jointly owned transmission and distribution lines.

Delivering electricity

Throughout our service area you’ll find both transmission and distribution lines.

  • Transmission lines transport high-voltage electricity long distances from where it’s generated to where it’ll be used. They often run parallel to major highways and interstates.
  • Transformers lower the voltage of electricity for homes and businesses. (Transformers also can increase voltage if needed.)
  • Distribution lines carry low-voltage electricity from transformers to our customers. You’ll find distribution lines in neighborhoods and communities.

Keeping our communities connected

Transmission lines keep communities moving forward. They’re the backbone of the grid, bridging the gap between where electricity is made and where it’s needed. 

We’re committed to strengthening the grid safely and responsibly to enhance reliability, increase resiliency to extreme weather, reduce congestion, and expand access to low-cost electricity. By upgrading transmission and distribution infrastructure, we’re powering communities, supporting growth, and building a more resilient future.

The Appleton to Benson transmission line project will add an approximately 28-mile, 115-kV transmission line between Appleton and Benson, Minnesota. We’re partnering with Great River Energy, Missouri River Energy Services, Benson Municipal Utilities, and Agralite Electric Cooperative to construct this new transmission line.

Learn more about the Appleton to Benson transmission line.

BSSA logo

The Big Stone South to Alexandria transmission line (BSSA) will connect our Big Stone South Substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota, and Missouri River Energy Services’ substation in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Learn more about the Big Stone South to Alexandria transmission line.

The proposed Big Stone South to Hankinson to Bison (BSSHB) transmission line project will connect our Big Stone South substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota to our substation near Hankinson, North Dakota and continue to Xcel Energy’s Bison substation near Mapleton, North Dakota.


Learn more about the Big Stone South to Hankinson to Bison transmission line. 

The Jamestown to Ellendale transmission line project (JETx) will connect our substation in Jamestown, North Dakota, and Montana-Dakota Utilities’ substation in Ellendale, North Dakota.

Learn more about the Jamestown to Ellendale transmission line.

The proposed Maple River to Cuyuna (MRC) transmission line project will connect our Maple River Substation near Fargo, North Dakota to Minnesota Power's Cuyuna substation, near Riverton, Minnesota.

Learn more about the Maple River to Cuyuna transmission line.

We're upgrading and expanding our existing Milbank Substation and adding two new 115-kV transmission lines: one from the existing Big Stone South Substation to the existing Milbank Substation and another from this same Milbank Substation to a newly proposed breaker station in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota.

Learn more about the Milbank Area Reliability Project.

PowerOn Midwest is a series of new electric transmission projects anchored by a 765-kV backbone transmission line. 

In South Dakota, the proposed PowerOn Midwest transmission line will connect our Big Stone South substation near Big Stone City, South Dakota to Xcel Energy’s Brookings substation in Brookings, South Dakota.

Learn more about the PowerOn Midwest transmission line.