What Grid United does

Grid United is a Houston-based, privately-held LLC founded in 2021 by energy industry veterans Michael Skelly (former founder of Clean Line Energy) and Kris Zadlo (former SVP at Invenergy, VP of Transmission at Calpine). The company develops utility-scale, long-distance high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and high-voltage AC transmission infrastructure intended to connect the three largely independent segments of the U.S. electric grid — the Eastern Interconnection, the Western Interconnection, and ERCOT. Its core product portfolio comprises five transmission projects: North Plains Connector (420 miles, 3,000 MW, ND/MT; jointly developed with ALLETE via subsidiary North Plains Connector LLC), Pecos West (two ~1,500 MW HVDC lines linking El Paso, TX and southeastern NM), Southline Transmission Project (280-mile double-circuit HV line in NM/AZ; co-developed with Black Forest Partners), Three Corners Connector (300 miles, 1,800 MW HVDC between CO and OK Panhandle), and Wyoming Intertie (106 miles, 1,800 MW HVDC in WY). Underlying technology is HVDC with up-to-525 kV converter stations, supplied in partnership with Hitachi Energy. Grid United operates on a project development business model: it secures DOE grant funding (over $1 billion awarded across GRIP, Transmission Facilitation Program, and Transmission Siting and Economic Development programs), navigates multi-jurisdictional FERC/state PUC permitting, and pre-sells transmission capacity to a utility consortium that signs non-binding MOUs. End customers are regional electric utilities (MDU Resources, Minnkota Power, Portland General Electric, NorthWestern Energy, ALLETE), with revenue expected only after construction completion — North Plains Connector is the lead asset, targeting 2028 construction start and 2032 commercial operations. The company also pursues regulatory advocacy at FERC and the PUCT, and maintains a 60+ employee organization spanning Development, HVDC Engineering, Land, Environmental, Regulatory, Commercial Analytics, and Finance functions.

Name

Grid United

Legal name

Grid United LLC

Website

https://gridunited.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Grid United is a privately-held Houston-based developer of utility-scale, interregional HVDC and high-voltage AC transmission lines connecting the U.S. Eastern, Western, and ERCOT grids, serving regional electric utilities through a project development and consortium-offtake model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Transmission Infrastructure

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (221121), Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction (237130), Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

HVDC Converter Stations & HVDC Transmission EPC (EUAEABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grid-Scale Power Conversion & Interconnection (PCS, Grid-Tie Inverters, Converter Stations) (IMAGAAAI), Multi-Terminal HVDC & DC Grids (Interoperability, Standards, DC Switchgear) (EUADAMAE), Substation Systems & Integration (EPC, Engineering, Protection, Commissioning) (IMAGAAAC), Resource Adequacy, Capacity Expansion & Integrated Grid Planning (IRP linkages) (EUADAGAI), Grid Interconnection & Collector Substation EPC (Utility-Scale Renewables) (EUAEABAK)

Keywords

• HVDC transmission development
• Interregional transmission infrastructure
• Utility-scale power lines
• Electric grid interconnection
• Transmission project development

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Transmission Capacity Agreements: Grid United secures capacity commitments from utility partners who sign MOUs for transmission capacity. Utilities like MDU Resources (150 MW), Minnkota Power Cooperative (150 MW), and Portland General Electric acquire capacity on HVDC lines through non-binding agreements, providing revenue certainty for project development.
2. DOE Grant Funding: Grid United has successfully secured DOE funding including $700 million through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships program for the Montana Department of Commerce and $48 million through the Transmission Siting and Economic Development program for NPC communities in Montana.
3. Transmission Service Agreements: The company structures utility partnerships, project sales, and transmission service agreement contracts to allow efficient collaboration with end customers, generating revenue through ownership stakes in completed transmission infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Grid United is an independent transmission company that develops utility-scale, interregional high-voltage transmission lines connecting the U.S. Eastern, Western, and ERCOT interconnections. The company permits, designs, and develops HVDC and high-voltage AC transmission projects, then partners with electric utilities, RTOs, and government agencies to secure capacity commitments and project financing. Its product offering centers on a portfolio of named transmission projects — North Plains Connector, Pecos West, Southline Transmission Project, Three Corners Connector, and Wyoming Intertie — that deliver long-distance, low-loss power transfer across grid boundaries.

Product overview

Grid United is an independent transmission company developing utility-scale, long-distance transmission infrastructure to modernize and interconnect the U.S. electric grid. The company operates a portfolio of five distinct HVDC transmission projects: North Plains Connector (3,000 MW, 420 miles, ND/MT), Pecos West (1,500 MW, connecting TX/NM), Southline Transmission (280 miles, NM/AZ), Three Corners Connector (1,800 MW, 300 miles, CO/OK), and Wyoming Intertie (1,800 MW, 106 miles, WY). These projects deploy high-voltage direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) technology at various voltage levels (up to 525 kV, 500 kV, 345 kV, 735 kV+) to connect the three largely independent U.S. power grids (Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, and ERCOT), enhance grid resilience, and provide electricity consumers access to low-cost resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• North Plains Connector: A 420-mile HVDC transmission line connecting the Eastern and Western U.S. electric grids in North Dakota and Montana, developed by North Plains Connector LLC (a subsidiary of Grid United).
• Pecos West
• Southline Transmission Project
• Three Corners Connector
• Wyoming Intertie

Products and services

• North Plains Connector A 420-mile, up-to-525-kilovolt high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line connecting the Eastern and Western U.S. electric grids across North Dakota and Montana, with a capacity of 3,000 MW. Developed by North Plains Connector LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Grid United, in partnership with ALLETE Inc. and a utility consortium that includes MDU Resources, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Portland General Electric, and NorthWestern Energy.
• Pecos West A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line linking El Paso, Texas with southeastern New Mexico, creating a connection between the Western and Eastern Interconnections. The project comprises two proposed 1,500 MW converter stations connected by an approximately 250–300-mile HVDC intertie line.
• Southline Transmission Project An approximately 280-mile, double-circuit, high-voltage transmission line and associated substation facilities being co-developed with Black Forest Partners, located in New Mexico and Arizona. Secured over $800 million in DOE Transmission Facilitation Program commitments across Phase 1 and Phase 2.
• Three Corners Connector A 300-mile, up-to-525-kilovolt HVDC transmission line connecting electric systems near Pueblo, Colorado and the Oklahoma Panhandle, providing a link between the Eastern and Western Interconnections with 1,800 MW capacity.
• Wyoming Intertie An approximately 106-mile, up-to-1,800 MW high-voltage transmission line connecting the Eastern and Western Interconnection grids through Carbon, Albany, and Platte Counties in Wyoming.

Quantifiable outcome

• North Plains Connector creates 800+ construction jobs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and strategic.

• Minnkota Power CooperativecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2026Minnkota Power Cooperative joined the North Plains Connector utility consortium as its eighth member, signing a non-binding MOU to secure 150 megawatts of capacity on the 3,000-megawatt HVDC transmission line. This partnership enhances regional grid reliability and adds to the growing consortium of utilities committed to the interregional transmission project.
• MDU Resources Group Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 November 2025MDU Resources signed an MOU with North Plains Connector LLC, part of Grid United, to secure 150 MW of capacity on the HVDC transmission project. The partnership aims to improve regional electrical grid reliability and resilience, with operations expected to begin in 2032.
• Hitachi EnergyflagshipTechnology or IntegrationHitachi Energy and Grid United announced collaboration to deliver HVDC technology for transmission projects to strengthen the U.S. power grid. The partnership provides Grid United with proven HVDC technology and engineering expertise for projects including North Plains Connector, where Hitachi Energy will supply key HVDC components.
• ALLETE Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerALLETE and Grid United signed development agreements for advancing the North Plains Connector HVDC transmission line in North Dakota and Montana. ALLETE is a joint development partner contributing to the 3,000 MW interregional transmission project.
• Portland General ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortland General Electric signed a non-binding MOU with Grid United and ALLETE for the development of a 3,000 megawatt east-west transmission line. PGE joins the consortium to secure transmission capacity connecting Western and Eastern Interconnections.
• Black Forest PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrid United and Black Forest Partners are co-developing the Southline Transmission Project, an approximately 280-mile double-circuit high-voltage transmission line and associated substation facilities in New Mexico and Arizona.
• Western Area Power AdministrationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern Area Power Administration is involved in consortia with Grid United and tribal entities within the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, as part of DOE's National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designation process.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NextEra Energy Transmission: NextEra Energy Transmission, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, develops and acquires transmission assets across North America. Comparable in pursuing transmission development, but with the backing of the largest renewable energy operator in the world and a broader portfolio scope.
• American Electric Power (AEP): AEP is one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S. with the largest transmission network in North America (~30,000 miles). Comparable as a major transmission owner/operator pursuing interregional transmission expansion, with vastly greater resources.
• Pattern Energy Group: Pattern Energy is a major renewable energy and transmission infrastructure developer with experience in HVDC interconnect projects. Comparable in developing renewable energy infrastructure that requires transmission build-out, though focused on generation as primary business.
• Invenergy: Invenergy is a leading privately-held developer, owner, and operator of clean energy solutions including transmission. The CTO of Grid United (Kris Zadlo) was previously SVP at Invenergy, making it a comparable peer with overlapping talent and adjacent transmission development activity.
• ITC Holdings: ITC Holdings is one of the largest independent electricity transmission companies in the U.S., operating over 17,000 miles of high-voltage transmission. Comparable as a major transmission owner/operator in the same industry, though focused on operating existing assets rather than greenfield HVDC development.
• LS Power: LS Power is a large independent power and transmission developer with extensive transmission portfolio and competitive energy projects across the U.S. Comparable to Grid United in developing utility-scale transmission, but at a much larger scale and broader portfolio including generation.

Direct peers

• SOO Green Renewable Rail: Developer of the SOO Green HVDC Link, a 350-mile underground HVDC transmission line connecting Iowa and Illinois interconnections. Closely comparable to Grid United's interregional HVDC model targeting renewable energy transfer between grid interconnections.
• Anbaric Development Partners: Anbaric is an independent transmission developer focused on HVDC and high-voltage AC projects in the U.S. Northeast and offshore wind interconnect, directly comparable to Grid United's independent HVDC developer model. Both companies pursue interregional transmission and partner with utilities for capacity off-take.
• Transmission Developers Inc (TDI): TDI developed the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a 339-mile HVDC transmission line bringing hydropower from Quebec to New York City. Direct peer as an independent HVDC project developer that finances and permits large-scale merchant transmission with utility and offtaker partnerships.

Others

• Hitachi Energy: Hitachi Energy is Grid United's HVDC technology partner and the leading global supplier of HVDC converter stations and equipment. Comparable as a critical ecosystem participant providing the underlying HVDC technology that Grid United's projects depend on.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grid-united

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grid United