Bell Center–Columbia–Sugar Creek–Illinois/Wisconsin State Line (BECI) Project
The Bell Center–Columbia–Sugar Creek–Illinois/Wisconsin State Line (BECI) Project is a major new 765 kilovolt transmission investment approved by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) through its competitive transmission process to strengthen the regional electric grid across Wisconsin and Illinois and support long term reliability and future energy needs. This $1.2 billion dollar project is being developed by a 50/50 joint venture, Midcontinent Grid Solutions, between Transource Energy and BHE Transmission.
- New Transmission Infrastructure: Approximately 190 miles of new single circuit 765 kV transmission lines connecting Bell Center, Columbia, Sugar Creek, and the Illinois/Wisconsin state line to reinforce the region’s high voltage backbone. This project will also involve the first-ever application of AEP Transmission’s new “Guyed-Y” line design, an innovative approach to reducing right-of-way size, among other benefits.
- Project Benefits: Improves grid reliability and resilience, enhances power transfer capability, and supports load growth and future generation interconnections across the Upper Midwest.
- Projected Timeline: Approved as part of MISO’s Long Range Transmission Planning (LRTP) Tranche 2.1 portfolio, with the project required to be placed into service by June 1, 2034.
Media Coverage:
