USA, North Dakota, Fargo: The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved a temporary variance allowing preliminary construction activities to proceed for power projects to serve a data center north of Fargo.
The decision permits initial site preparation, including grading work, ahead of full project approval.
The $110 M scheme will include a new substation and a 2.8 km (1.74-mi) 345 kV transmission line that will connect the substation to existing power infrastructure south-west of the site.
Minnkota Power Cooperative will own and operate the facilities. However, officials confirmed that Applied Digital, as a large-load customer, will fund the project upfront, meaning no costs will be passed to other ratepayers.
Cass County Electric Cooperative will deliver electricity to the data centre, which is expected to require up to 280 MW at peak demand.
The infrastructure, known as the Agassiz Transmission Line and Substation, will be built on land already owned by Minnkota and located beside an existing power line along Interstate 29. Construction could begin this month, with operations targeted for September.
Source: North Dakota Monitor
