North Plains Connector

Origin and history

The North Plains Connector is a proposed high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line project originating in the United States, specifically targeting the interconnection of the Midwest and Western electricity grids. The concept gained significant formal traction and entered regional planning discussions in the early 2020s, driven by increasing grid reliability concerns and the integration of renewable energy. Its development is spearheaded by a consortium of transmission companies and has been the subject of multiple feasibility studies conducted by national laboratories and grid operators. The project builds upon decades of existing infrastructure and planning aimed at linking the three primary U.S. interconnections: the Eastern Interconnection, the Western Interconnection, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Historical proposals for similar interties have existed since the late 20th century, but the North Plains Connector represents a modern iteration with updated technology and economic drivers. The project's current phase involves extensive regulatory approval processes and interconnection studies with regional transmission organizations.

What it is for

The primary purpose of the North Plains Connector is to create a first-of-its-kind direct transmission link between the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) region, thereby connecting the Eastern and Western Interconnections. Its fundamental function is to enable bulk power transfer across these historically separate grids, enhancing reliability and facilitating energy market diversity. The project is specifically designed to transmit electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind power from the Great Plains, to load centers that may have differing generation patterns or demand profiles. By providing a bidirectional transmission path, it allows for the balancing of supply and demand across a much wider geographic area, mitigating issues like congestion and negative pricing in regions with surplus generation. It serves as a critical infrastructure piece for managing the variability of wind and solar resources by allowing excess power from one region to be used or stored in another. Ultimately, the connector is intended to increase overall grid resilience, support decarbonization goals, and provide more cost-effective electricity by accessing a broader portfolio of generation resources.

Pros and cons

A significant pro of the North Plains Connector is its potential to improve grid reliability by providing a new pathway for power during extreme weather events or generator outages in one interconnection. It can reduce renewable energy curtailment by moving surplus wind generation from the plains to markets that can consume it, improving the economic viability of clean energy projects. The project also promises to increase competition in wholesale electricity markets, potentially putting downward pressure on energy costs for consumers in both connected regions. A major con is the exceptionally high capital cost of constructing a new, long-distance HVDC line, which involves billions of dollars in investment and faces complex cost-allocation challenges among multiple states and utilities. The common mistake is underestimating the regulatory and siting hurdles, which involve numerous state utility commissions, federal agencies, and landowners, leading to prolonged delays or route alterations. Entities that may regret involvement include local utilities burdened with cost shares that outweigh their direct benefits and landowners along the route who face eminent domain proceedings without perceiving a direct local advantage, while proponents risk creating a stranded asset if market flows or generation patterns evolve differently than projected.

Who it suits

This project suits large-scale renewable energy developers in the Upper Midwest and Great Plains who need a reliable pathway to deliver power to diverse markets and reduce curtailment risks. It is suited for regional transmission organizations like MISO and SPP, whose operational efficiency and reliability mandates are directly enhanced by increased interconnection and market flexibility. Load-serving entities and municipal utilities in areas with high demand or volatile prices, such as growing Western cities, may find it suits their need for access to stable, cost-effective generation from the Midwest. The project suits state policymakers in regions with aggressive decarbonization goals who require tangible infrastructure to integrate a higher penetration of intermittent renewable resources. It is less suited for vertically integrated utilities with robust, self-sufficient generation portfolios that do not rely heavily on external market purchases, as the benefits may not justify their portion of the cost. Finally, it suits investors and infrastructure funds focused on long-term, regulated asset returns, given the potential for a federally supported transmission project with defined cost-recovery mechanisms.