North Plains Connector is a 420-mile, up-to-525-kilovolt, high-voltage direct current transmission line connecting the eastern and western U.S. electric grids in North Dakota and Montana. North Plains Connector will transport electrical power of all generation sources and bidirectionally move power along the line in response to demand.
North Plains Connector is in the permitting phase and is initiating regulatory filings, with approvals expected in 2026. Construction is expected to commence in 2028, and the line is expected to be operational in 2032.
North Plains Connector will extend between an existing substation in Colstrip, Montana, to two separate connections in North Dakota – one near the town of Center, and the other near St. Anthony.
North Plains Connector is entering the permitting phase and is initiating regulatory filings, with approvals expected in 2026. Construction is expected to commence in 2028, and the line is expected to be operational in 2032.
North Plains Connector represents an approximately $3.2 billion investment in Montana and North Dakota and will be a long-term asset for the states. The project will improve grid resiliency and provide economic benefits through local tax revenue, landowner payments, and job creation.
This high-capacity, bidirectional transmission line will improve the reliability and resiliency of the electrical grid across the region and broaden market connections. The project will also provide electricity to consumers when they need more power, and access to additional sources of power during extreme weather events.
The project will provide tens of millions of dollars in additional property tax revenue and community investment. Anticipated Construction will require a peak temporary workforce of approximately 800 workers. The project will also stimulate the creation of jobs resulting from local spending on project materials, professional services, and hospitality.
Building strong and lasting relationships with landowners and communities is how North Plains Connector approaches development. North Plains Connector commits to a collaborative development process, and to conduct easement negotiations in a manner that is respectful of private property rights.
The Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) comprise the national power grid. These three systems operate largely independent of one another with insufficient connections between them. With energy demand increasing, the fractured grid is an impediment to ensuring energy reliability and security nationwide.
Our short video describes how America’s electric grid came to be, and the solutions Grid United is driving forward – long-distance, high-voltage transmission lines to strengthen and modernize the electric grid.
Developing America's Next-Generation Infrastructure to Power Our Future.
© 2025. Grid United LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Learn more about our partnerships with the Montana Community Foundation and North Dakota Community Foundation.