Planning for the Northern States Power Company (MN and WI) Transmission System

For Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan

Focusing on customers, coordinating with local utilities and planning for the region, Xcel Energy subsidiaries Northern States Power Companies (NSPM and NSPW), oversee transmission planning for Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

As part of the planning process, we work with Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) who manage the transmission grid by ensuring reliable power supplies, adequate transmission infrastructure and competitive electricity prices. RTO, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) operates in 15 U.S. states, including the Midwest and the Canadian province of Manitoba.

Every year we file our current and proposed transmission plans for Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan as part of the MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP).

In addition, the state of Minnesota has adopted a biennial transmission planning process to ensure the integrity of the state’s electric transmission system. Transmission-owning utilities in Minnesota, including Xcel Energy, file a biennial transmission planning report with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in the fall of odd years. These utilities have joined to sponsor the Minnesota Electric Transmission Planning report so that the public can become more directly involved in planning.

Details of our current and proposed projects can be viewed in the planning documents below.

For more information contact:

Jason Standing
Manager, Transmission Planning

NSP Transmission Planning Documents

Minnesota Biennial Transmission Planning Report
MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP)
Transmission Planning Criteria Manual (PDF)

Additional Resources

FERC Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers
Midcontinent ISO (MISO)
PSCo OASIS
Southwest Power Pool (SPP)