BHE U.S. Transmission has announced it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with North Plains Connector LLC, a wholly owned entity of Grid United, for the development of the North Plains Connector transmission project, a 3,000 MW, 420-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to be constructed with endpoints near Bismarck, North Dakota, and Colstrip, Montana.
Under the MOU, and subject to successful negotiation of definitive agreements, BHE U.S. Transmission would own 10%, or 300 megawatts, of the 3,000 MW project. BHE U.S. Transmission, a developer, owner, and operator of transmission assets, is a unit of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, an energy holding company based in Des Moines, Iowa.
“With rising demand on the nation’s power grid, the U.S. must expand access to affordable and reliable energy,” said Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. “I’m grateful to BHE U.S. Transmission and the North Plains Connector project for this important collaboration, which will help solidify Montana’s place as an energy leader. Together, we will continue working to power America’s future by unleashing American-made energy.”
The North Plains Connector
The North Plains Connector transmission line project represents an approximately $3.2 billion total investment in Montana and North Dakota. The project is entering the permitting phase and initiating regulatory filings, with approvals expected in 2026. Construction should commence in 2028, and the transmission line is expected to be operational in 2032.
Grid United and ALLETE, Inc. are jointly developing the project. Once completed, it will be the nation’s first high-voltage direct-current transmission link among three regional electric energy markets – the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the Western Interconnection, and the Southwest Power Pool.
“Utilities accounting for 75% of the line’s capacity have now signed MOUs to participate in North Plains Connector,” said Michael Skelly, CEO of Grid United. “With this strong set of participants going into 2025, we look forward to a year of finalizing definitive agreements, advancing engineering, permitting, and construction preparations, and working closely with host communities to ensure a project that delivers value for both stakeholders and utility customers.”
In December 2024, NorthWestern Energy signed a nonbinding MOU with North Plains Connector LLC to also own 10% (300 MW) of the North Plains Connector. The news came just a week after Puget Sound Energy (PSE) nabbed the largest share of the project, signing a nonbinding MOU to secure 750 MW.
In May 2024, Portland General Electric (PGE) signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with Grid United and ALLETE in the development of the North Plains Connector. At the time of the announcement, PGE was expected to have a 20% ownership share of the project. The electric transmission infrastructure would provide PGE with 600 MW of transfer capacity, access to energy resources, and wholesale markets as well as eased congestion on the existing western transmission system.
In November 2024, Avista Corporation also signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with North Plains Connector LLC. The connector will provide Avista with 300 MW of transfer capacity.
Grid United started preliminary work on the project in the summer of 2021, looking at constraints such as biological, land use, existing infrastructure, and archeological/cultural sites, according to documents it created for stakeholder meetings. In 2023, Grid United announced that it would team up with ALLETE.
