As part of its continuous efforts to expand its infrastructure, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator has chosen Republic Transmission, LLC to design, construct, run, and maintain a new 345 kV single-circuit transmission line. LS Power and its transmission business, LS Power Grid, are affiliates of Republic Transmission.
From the Reid Extra High-Voltage (EHV) Substation in Kentucky to the Culley Substation in Indiana, the transmission line will travel around 26 miles. The project is the first competitive award from MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) Tranche 2.1 portfolio, which was authorized in December 2024. Its goal is to improve grid capacity and reliability in the Kentucky-Indiana border area. With a projected cost of $78 million plus capitalized construction finance expenses, it must be in operation by June 1, 2032.
“We are excited to partner with MISO once again through Republic Transmission,” stated Paul Thessen, president of LS Power/LS Power Grid. “Our proven expertise in building and maintaining cost-efficient transmission systems in MISO and across the country, paired with strong cost-containment controls and a tailored approach to project execution, helped us deliver a winning proposal that provides value to electricity consumers.”
Thessen attached, “We welcome the opportunity to compete for these projects, and our selection underscores how competition can help maintain lower electricity costs for consumers.”
Republic Transmission was selected through MISO’s competitive selection process under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order No. 1000. Jeremiah Doner, MISO’s director of cost allocation and competitive transmission, commented on the selection of Republic Transmission, “The selected proposal includes a lower cost than that of the next closest developer and strong cost containment for the next 40 years after the project is in-service.”
The most recent honor continues Republic Transmission’s great history. Republic Transmission was chosen by MISO in 2016 to build the Duff-to-Coleman transmission line between Indiana and Kentucky. The line was finished in 2020 ahead of schedule and under budget. The Indiana leg of the Hiple-to-Helix transmission line project (HIMB), which will cross Michigan and Indiana, was recently awarded to Republic Transmission by MISO in 2023. HIMB is anticipated to go online in 2030, and Republic Transmission was chosen for a number of reasons, including its compelling pricing proposal and well-thought-out routing plan.
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