CAPX
CapX 2020 is a joint initiative of transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota and the surrounding region formed to expand the electric transmission grid to ensure electric reliability for years to come. The CapX 2020 project began as a collaborative planning effort by various utilities (including SMMPA, cooperatives, municipals, and investor-owned utilities) to assess the current system and project the growth in customer demand for electricity through 2020. Planning studies have shown that customer demand for electricity will grow 6,300 megawatts (MW) by 2020, resulting in a need to expand the transmission grid to accommodate that growth. The grid must have the ability to transmit 8,000 MW of electricity to comply with required reserves and compensate for slight voltage loss that accompanies long-distance transmission.
In 2006, the Agency joined CapX 2020. Other members include GRE, Midwest Municipal Transmission Group, Minnesota Power, Missouri River Energy Services, Otter Tail, Rochester, Wisconsin Public Power Inc. and Xcel. CapX 2020 was established in 2004 in order to assist in the development of resources needed to promote future electric reliability for Minnesota and the surrounding region. Studies estimate that during the period of 2006 through 2020, 8,000 MW of new generation, including 2,400 MW of renewals, will need to be built. To accomodate this growth, the transmission "backbone" will require major upgrades and expansion.
CapX 2020 expects to begin seeking regulatory approval for approximately 600 miles of 345 kilovolts (kV) in Minnesota at an estimated cost of $1.3 billion, with short segments in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Regulatory filings for a smaller, 230 kV line in north-central Minnesota are also planned. The Agency is investigating the possibility of investing $30-50 million in one or more of the 345 kV CapX projects, primarily for equalization of the Agency's investment obligations under the STS agreement with Dairyland. See, "Proposed Big Stone II Project" for a discussion of transmission lines to be built in connection with Big Stone II.
Please visit the CapX 2020 website for more information.