Transmission Infrastructure for Wind Generation
Southwest Minnesota
Update to SPG meeting, August 3, 2004
Generation and Transmission Capacity – as of July 2004
 Connected wind generation: approximately 500 MW
 Transmission outlet capacity: 260 MW
Transmission Infrastructure Project
 Purpose: Increase transmission outlet capacity
o 425 MW (total) by April 2006
o 825 MW (total) by October 2007
 Both are on schedule
Project Scope: Xcel Facilities
 Transmission lines
o New lines: 235 miles (53 miles complete)
 Includes 90 mile new 345 kV line
o Upgrade of existing lines: 185 miles (97 miles complete)
 Transmission subs
o New: 7 (2 complete by fall 2004)
o Upgrades: 11 (2 complete)
Project Scope: Other Utilities
 Transmission lines
o New lines: None
o Upgrade of existing lines: 72 miles (30 miles complete)
 Transmission subs
o New: None
o Upgrades: 8 (Zero complete)
 Xcel Energy continues to work with these utilities to get upgrades completed in time
for the 425 and 825 deadlines.
Permitting Status
 Lakefield Junction to Fox Lake 161 permit decision expected August 2004
 Split Rock to Lakefield Junction 345 and Nobles to Chanarambie 115 route permit
filed with MEQB April 2004; decision expected April 2005
 Buffalo Ridge to White 115 route permit to be filed with MEQB August 2004
 No other major route permits required
Grant Stevenson, Xcel Energy, August 3, 2004
Transmission Infrastructure for Wind Generation
Southwest Minnesota
Update to SPG meeting, August 3, 2004
Individual Project Highlights – Xcel Energy Projects
425 Project Group
Name
Black Dog transformer
Paynesville transformer
Chanarambie to Lake Yankton
Wilmarth to Martin Co phase
raise
Willmar to Kerkhoven
Grant to Brandon
Brandon to Alex
Lyon County substation
Lake Yankton substation
Lake Yankton to Lyon County
Alex to Douglas County
Lakefield Jct. to Fox Lake
Volt
230/115
230/115
115
345
Miles
Sub
Sub
24
54
115
115
115
115/69
115
115
115
161
15
30
20
Sub
Sub
29
6
26
Type
Upgrade
Upgrade
New ROW
Increase
clearance
Rebuild
Rebuild
Rebuild
New
Upgrade
Rebuild
Rebuild
New ROW
115
115
69
69
115
115
Sub
16
Sub
15
Sub
28
New
Rebuild
New
Rebuild
Upgrade
Rebuild
Name
Nobles County substation
Volt
345,
115, 35
Miles
Sub
Type
New
Status
Routing permit filed April 30, 2004; MEQB
order expected April 2005. ISD 2007
Fenton substation
115/35
Sub
New
Yankee sub
115, 35
Sub
New
Collector sub for wind generators. Permit
to be filed Fall 2004. ISD to be
determined.
Routing application to be filed early August
2004 with Buffalo Ridge to White line. ISD
April 2007
Routing permit filed April 30, 2004; MEQB
order expected April 2005. ISD October
2007
Routing permit filed April 30, 2004; MEQB
order expected April 2005. ISD July 2007
Routing application to be filed early August
2004. ISD April 2007
May 2005
March 2006
April 2005
Lake Yankton SVC
Summit to Dome
Troy switch station
Bird Island to Franklin
Minn Valley substation
Minn Valley to Honner Tap
Status
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete
Completed by MRES
Completed by MRES
Fall 2004
Fall 2004
Fall 2004
March 2005
Routing permit order
expected August 19,
2004. ISD April 2006
September 2004
October 2004
December 2004
December 2004
May 2005
May 2005
825 MW Project Group
Split Rock to Lakefield Jct
345
90
New ROW
Nobles to Chanarambie
115
40
New Row
Buffalo Ridge to White
115
24
New ROW
Paynesville to Wakefield
Honner Tap to Franklin
Loon to West Faribault
115
115
115
15
14
12
Rebuild
Rebuild
Rebuild
Grant Stevenson, Xcel Energy, August 3, 2004