Project Status: IN SERVICE
Strategic Purpose:
Asset Reliability & Diversification
Project Contact: Brandon Gustafson 
Related Resource(s): Map

Nelson to Rock Elm

Dairyland Power Cooperative plans to rebuild a 30-mile, 69,000-volt (69 kV) transmission line between the Dairyland Nelson Distribution Substation on County Road I in Buffalo County, Wis., to the Dairyland Rock Elm Transmission Substation on 170th Street in Pierce County, Wis. The line is aging and reaching the end of its asset life. The project will involve removing the existing line and rebuilding the new line in both new and existing corridors. 

The reason for acquiring a new corridor is to improve system reliability in the area by making the line more accessible to maintenance crews. Additional work will be required at the Dairyland Ella and Maxville distribution substations, and Xcel's Arkansaw distribution substation. The section of line to be rebuilt within the Tiffany Wildlife Area will utilize helicopters to install structures (poles) to help protect the sensitive environmental nature of this area.

Project At A Glance

Counties where facilities may be placed Buffalo, Pierce, Pepin and Dunn Counties (Wis.)
Distribution Cooperative Service Territories


Dunn EnergyPierce Pepin logo   Riverland

Line length 30 miles
Voltage 69 kV
Estimated project cost $14 million
End points Dairyland's Nelson distribution substation to the Dairyland Rock Elm transmission substation

Schedule (all dates are anticipated and subject to change)

Right-of-way acquisition November 2017
Start of construction (right-of-way clearing) February 2020
Foundations, structures, line construction July 2020
Target in-service date December 2022

 

69 kV Transmission Line

Helicopter, 69 kV