Xcel Energy proposes to upgrade the Scott County-Bluff Creek-Westgate 69 kV transmission line to 115 kV capacity near the cities of Chanhassen, Shorewood, Excelsior, Deephaven, Greenwood, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.   

The proposed project entails upgrading approximately 20 miles of 69 kV transmission line to 115 kV capacity including the following upgrades and additions:

• Change the voltage of approximately 5.3 miles of 115/69 kV transmission line to 115/115 kV operation between the Scott County and Bluff Creek substations;

• Converting approximately 3.6 miles of 69 kV transmission line to 115 kV transmission line between the Bluff Creek and Excelsior Substations;

• Converting approximately 3 miles of 69 kV transmission line to 115 kV capacity between the Excelsior and Deephaven Substations;

• Converting approximately 7.5 miles of 69 kV transmission line to 115 kV capacity between the Deephaven and Westgate Substations; and

• Upgrading the Excelsior and Deephaven Substations to 115 kV capacity

Update: Subsequent to the original applications, the Applicant submitted an additional system alternative for consideration that would use a route along Highway 5 instead of the existing 69 kV route north of Structure #57. This alternative uses the existing structures along Highway 5 and requires building a new substation, a short segment of 69 kV line and a relocation of the 34.5 kV feeder line from along the highway.

Xcel Energy is also petitioning the Commission for a Certificate of Need for the project.  Associated documents can  be reviewed on eDockets at https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/search.jsp (search year "11" and number "332").