$350 M Wyoming – South Dakota link complete
Black Hills Energy completes a 418-km transmission expansion, boosting renewable access, grid resilience, and long-term energy price stability.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Wyoming / South Dakota: Black Hills Energy has completed its $350 M Ready Wyoming transmission project, the largest electrical infrastructure investment in the company’s history. The 418-km (260-mi) expansion, spanning five counties across Wyoming and Nebraska, officially finished on 29 December and connects Wyoming’s power grid with South Dakota’s.
The project links the Weston County towns of Newcastle, Upton, and Osage with Black Hills Energy’s service area in southeast Wyoming. It also ties together the company’s transmission systems with Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting low-cost energy delivery.
The expansion includes one new substation and six upgraded or replaced substations, designed to increase grid capacity and resilience. According to Wes Ashton, Vice President of Black Hills Energy, the project will benefit their customers and allow more efficient transmission of energy in both directions.
The transmission line passes through four Wyoming counties – Converse, Laramie, Goshen, and Platte – and Scotts Bluff County in Nebraska. Ashton added that the project plays a crucial role in supporting renewable energy development and meeting Wyoming’s growing electricity needs.
The construction phase generated around 1,367 jobs and is expected to contribute roughly $570,000 annually to Wyoming’s economy, according to the University of Wyoming’s Center for Economic and Business Analysis.
“With an interconnected transmission system, we can deliver more affordable power across a wider region, serve new customers, and provide greater reliability for all,” Ashton said.
The Ready Wyoming project marks a major milestone for Black Hills Energy, enhancing grid stability, regional energy sharing, and long-term price security for electricity customers in Wyoming and South Dakota.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
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