Iowa-Missouri transmission line ready to provide pathway for wind generation

MidAmerican Energy has completed a nearly 80-mile high-voltage regional transmission line that links southeastern Iowa and northeastern Missouri. This includes a 29-mile section that MidAmerican Energy constructed in three southeast Iowa counties.

Called the Multi-Value Project 7, the project provides a new major pathway for wind energy generation in areas along the route. In addition to improving transmission access for wind generation, the project helps relieve congestion on other high-voltage transmission lines and helps increase efficiency on the electric grid by reducing energy production costs.

“We expect that this transmission line will open up new channels for wind energy generation, lower wholesale prices for electric, energy and help lower the costs of producing electricity to meet customer demand,” said Dehn Stevens, general manager of MidAmerican Energy electric operations.

On May 31, MidAmerican completed its section of MVP 7, which runs through Appanoose, Davis, and Wapello counties. The 345,000-volt overhead transmission line connects substations in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Adair, Missouri, which is east of Kirksville. It was jointly constructed by MidAmerican Energy, ITC Midwest, and Ameren Transmission Company.

The transmission line projects create several economic benefits, including added grid interconnection and future interconnection options, landowner easement payments and county property tax payments. The projects, through modernized engineering, also reduce the number of poles and amount of needed land.

In 2011, the Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator Inc. approved a long-term regional energy grid enhancement plan, comprised of 17 multi-value projects. The MISO projects provide consumers with access to renewable energy and other low-cost electricity generation sources throughout the Midwest, and improve grid reliability and efficiency.