PGE joins Grid United and ALLETE in 3,000 megawatt east-west transmission line

Portland General Electric today signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Grid United and ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) in the development of the North Plains Connector, an approximately 415-mile high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission line to be constructed with endpoints near Bismarck, North Dakota and Colstrip, Montana. The parties will now work to finalize definitive agreements regarding PGE’s participation, which is expected to involve a 20% ownership share of the project.

The North Plains Connector will be the nation’s first HVDC transmission connection among three regional U.S. electric energy markets - the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the Western Interconnection and the Southwest Power Pool - providing additional flexibility and the sharing of resources across multiple time zones.

“The North Plains Connector is a key step in serving the growing needs of customers with safe, reliable, clean energy through joint collaboration,” said Maria Pope, PGE President and CEO. “Additional transmission capacity will provide access to renewable energy over a wider and diverse geographic area, helping to deliver economic and environmental benefits.”

The North Plains Connector is one of the ways PGE is working collaboratively across the region to find solutions to nationwide transmission congestion. The electric transmission infrastructure would provide PGE with 600 megawatts of transfer capacity, access to diverse energy resources, enhanced wholesale markets and ease congestion on the existing western transmission system.

“We welcome PGE joining us in our efforts on this historic and transformative infrastructure project for our nation,” said Bethany Owen, ALLETE Chair, President and CEO. “Large-scale projects require collaborative solutions. We look forward to working with PGE and their strong team to advance this critical project.”

“We are thrilled to move forward with PGE on the development of the North Plains Connector,” said Michael Skelly, CEO of Grid United. “Countless studies have shown that interregional transmission dramatically enhances reliability, saves consumers money and is critical to meeting the growing demand for electricity.”

The project represents an approximately $3.2 billion total investment in Montana and North Dakota and is expected to create over 600 jobs during construction. Once built, this transmission infrastructure will also enable additional energy production in Montana and North Dakota.