Basin Electric to host open houses for transmission line project

Basin Electric is planning to construct a high-voltage transmission line project in northwest North Dakota. The project is needed to enhance the electricity export and import capabilities between the United States and Canada.

Bobby Nasset, Basin Electric supervisor of Civil Engineering and the project's manager, said the Tande-to-Saskatchewan and Wheelock-to-Saskatchewan 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line project was deemed necessary to resolve transmission system deficiencies by Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the federally designated regional transmission organization. The two circuits will provide export and import capabilities of up to 650 megawatts, strengthening the local and regional electric system, he says.

“A study area has been identified, but no specific routes have been established,” Nasset said.

Landowners and other interested parties are invited to join Basin Electric at an open house to learn more about the project. Refreshments will be provided.

• Monday, June 5, 6-8 p.m. Central Time at the Divide County Courthouse, Crosby, North Dakota
• Tuesday, June 6, 6-8 p.m. Central Time at the City Commission Hall, Tioga, North Dakota

The project includes approximately 110 miles of new 230-kV high-voltage transmission lines from existing Basin Electric substations to the Canadian border. One circuit will be routed from the Wheelock substation near Ray, North Dakota, and the second circuit from the Tande substation near Tioga, North Dakota.

Nasset said the project was approved by the SPP Aggregate Transmission Service Study in 2022. SPP provided Basin Electric an Approved Reliability Network Upgrade notice. Basin Electric is the designated transmission owner for the upgrade in the United States, and SaskPower will complete the circuit within Canada. Transmission lines that cross an international border require a Presidential permit from the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Pending permit and easement acquisition, construction is scheduled to begin in 2026. It is anticipated that construction will take approximately 12 to 18 months.