North Rochester-Hampton 345 kV
Overview
Xcel Energy, Dairyland Power Cooperative, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, and the City of Rochester have partnered to construct, own, and maintain the proposed North Rochester to Hampton 345 kV project, which would add a second circuit to the existing Hampton-Rochester transmission line built as part of the CapX2020 project. This project is a part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Long-Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) Tranche 2.1 portfolio, a regional effort to modernize the electric grid and meet growing energy needs.
Key milestones
PowerOn Midwest must undergo a comprehensive state regulatory review led by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), this includes two key approvals:
- Certificate of Need (CON) - filed February 3, 2026
- Route Permit application amendment - anticipated to be filed in 2027-2028
More information will be shared on this page as the project develops.
Upcoming events
Thank you for attending our open houses in August 2026. Watch for additional updates from PowerOn Midwest about route development in mid-September and the Route Permit Applications in early December. The MPUC will hold public hearings on the Certificate of Need in November. The focus of these hearings will be on the need for the project, not specific routes. MPUC will hold several route-related hearings in 2027, after the applications are filed.
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