MISO’s Long-Range Transmission Portfolio

In July 2022, the Midwest Independent System Operator’s board approved a $10.3 billion transmission plan that could support about 53 GW of wind, solar, hybrid and stand-alone battery projects found in state and utility clean energy goals in its northern and central regions. MISO estimates that the projects will bring $23.2 billion to $52.2 billion in present value net benefits over 40 years, including up to $19.9 billion in congestion and fuel cost savings. The 18 transmission projects approved Monday are designed to facilitate an expected shift in MISO’s generation mix, including the retirement of about 58 GW of mainly coal-fired power plants, and the addition of about 90 GW of solar, gas and wind by 2039.

MISO expects some of the projects will begin coming online in2028. MISO last approved a major transmission buildout in 2011.

A presentation on the projects from MISO’s vice president of system planning and competitive transmission is below, along with an MTEP21 Appendix on new projects recommended for approval, as well as the webpage for the MTEP21 process overall.