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Commission approves Minnesota Power HVDC/AC converter‑substation building permit
Summary
Minnesota Power representatives described a large HVDC-to‑AC converter station and transmission route and asked the county to approve a building permit; commissioners approved the permit after hearing project scope, easements and construction‑value estimates.
Minnesota Power representatives outlined plans for a high‑voltage converter/substation and associated transmission route that will tie into a new Nelson Lake substation and asked Oliver County to approve a building permit for local work.
Kyle Larson of Minnesota Power described the converter‑station site and easement route, told commissioners the paired converter stations and related infrastructure would total roughly $900 million in combined investment, and said the local converter/substation side of the project has an estimated construction value of about $49 million. He said work on site grading is underway and that line construction is expected to follow pending outstanding easements.
Commissioners asked about road‑use agreements, transformer transport logistics, and whether easements and landowner commitments were in hand; Minnesota Power said they had most easements in place and were awaiting a final access easement from one landowner and a road‑use agreement to finalize scheduling. A motion to approve the local building permit passed on a voice vote after a commissioner moved and another seconded.
The board recorded the permit approval, and staff noted follow‑up will include final easement documentation and a road‑use/maintenance agreement to protect county infrastructure during heavy haul movements.
Next steps: county staff will confirm receipt of outstanding easement signatures and the road‑use agreement and monitor the project's compliance with local permitting conditions.
