North Plains Connector

What North Plains Connector does

North Plains Connector LLC is a private U.S. infrastructure development entity and a wholly owned subsidiary of Grid United, developing a 420-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line in the Intermountain West. The project is designed with a total capacity of 3,000 MW and is positioned as the nation's first HVDC transmission connection among three regional electric energy markets, linking utility grids across Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. The company serves utility companies and energy providers seeking power capacity procurement, grid interconnection, and access to multiple regional energy markets through a single transmission corridor.

The company's sole core product is the North Plains Connector HVDC Transmission Line, which uses high-voltage direct current technology to transmit power over long distances with materially lower losses than conventional AC transmission. This architecture is specifically suited to interconnecting regional grids that have historically operated independently, enabling utilities to procure power from diverse geographic sources and improving overall grid reliability. MDU Resources Group Inc. signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on 2025-11-13 to secure 150 MW of capacity, equivalent to more than 15% of MDU's 2024 peak load and roughly 5% of the project's total nameplate capacity. Pricing and contract terms are not publicly disclosed, consistent with large-scale transmission projects that are sold through negotiated, long-dated wholesale capacity agreements rather than through transparent unit pricing.

The business model is anchored in long-term contracted capacity revenue: once the line is operational, utilities will pay for transmission rights across the corridor. The entity is currently pre-revenue, with construction scheduled to commence in 2028 and commercial operations targeted for 2032. As a special purpose vehicle under Grid United, North Plains Connector is structured to be capitalized by its parent through the development phase and likely financed with non-recourse project debt at financial close, with revenue ramping only after the line enters service.

Name

North Plains Connector

Legal name

North Plains Connector LLC

Website

https://northplainsconnector.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

North Plains Connector LLC, a wholly owned Grid United subsidiary, develops a 420-mile, 3,000 MW HVDC transmission line connecting three U.S. regional electric energy markets in the Intermountain West, serving utility companies seeking cross-regional power capacity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Power Transmission Infrastructure

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (221121)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

HVDC Transmission Systems & Converter Stations (EUADAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

HVDC Cables & Overhead Lines (Subsea, Underground, Overhead) (EUADAMAB), HVDC Converter Stations & HVDC Transmission EPC (EUAEABAD), Cross-Border Interconnectors & Regional Transmission Coordination (EUADAAAB), Cable Installation & Construction Services (trenching, duct banks, HDD, pulling, cable laying) (EUADADAI)

Keywords

• HVDC transmission infrastructure
• Power transmission capacity
• Grid interconnection services
• Utility energy infrastructure
• High-voltage direct current line

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Others

Core offering

North Plains Connector is developing a 420-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line designed to deliver 3,000 MW of capacity and create the nation's first HVDC connection among three regional U.S. electric energy markets. The LLC sells long-term transmission capacity rights to utility companies and energy providers that need cross-regional power delivery and grid interconnection.

Product overview

North Plains Connector is a single core infrastructure product — a 420-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. The project, developed by North Plains Connector LLC (a wholly owned entity of Grid United), is designed to deliver 3,000 MW of capacity and will connect three regional electric energy markets. MDU Resources has secured 150 MW of capacity through a memorandum of understanding. The project is currently in development with construction expected to commence in 2028 and full operational status targeted for 2032.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• North Plains Connector HVDC Transmission Line A 420-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line with 3,000 MW of total capacity that will connect three regional U.S. electric energy markets, becoming the nation's first HVDC transmission connection among three regional markets. Sold as long-term capacity rights to utility companies and energy providers for cross-regional power delivery and grid interconnection.

Quantifiable outcome

• First HVDC transmission connection among three regional electric energy markets in the nation

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MDU Resources Group Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2025MDU Resources Group Inc. signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with North Plains Connector LLC to secure 150 megawatts of capacity on the 420-mile North Plains Connector high-voltage direct current transmission project. MDU Resources would own 150 MW of the 3,000-MW project once operational.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NextEra Energy Transmission: NextEra Energy Transmission develops and operates high-voltage transmission assets across multiple U.S. regions, including HVDC-capable projects. Comparable as an established incumbent transmission developer serving utility customers with multi-region scope.
• Avangrid (Iberdrola): Avangrid, the U.S. subsidiary of Iberdrola, operates regulated transmission utilities and has developed HVDC-capable projects (e.g., the New England Clean Power Link). Comparable as a utility-scale transmission developer with multi-regional scope.
• LS Power: LS Power is a U.S. infrastructure developer with significant transmission development activity, including HVDC and EHV projects across multiple ISOs/RTOs. Comparable as a broader incumbent transmission developer with similar deal structures.
• Grid United: Grid United is the parent company and developer of the North Plains Connector and other large-scale interregional transmission projects. As the project sponsor and broader transmission platform, Grid United is the closest broad-incumbent peer.

Others

• GE Vernova: GE Vernova supplies HVDC and grid technology solutions globally and is a likely supplier for North Plains Connector's converter stations. Comparable as an enabler and technology provider in the HVDC transmission value chain.
• Prysmian Group: Prysmian is a leading global manufacturer of HVDC submarine and underground cables and is a likely cable supplier for long-distance HVDC projects. Comparable as an enabling supplier in the HVDC project value chain.
• Hitachi Energy: Hitachi Energy is the leading global supplier of HVDC converter stations and related technology, and is the likely technology provider for North Plains Connector. Comparable as a critical enabler and supplier in the HVDC value chain.

Direct peers

• Anbaric: Anbaric is a transmission developer focused on HVDC and high-voltage AC interconnections that link regional electric markets, including the proposed Ocean State Power and other HVDC projects. Highly comparable in technology and target customer base to North Plains Connector.
• SOO Green HVDC Link: SOO Green HVDC Link is a 350-mile, 2,100 MW HVDC transmission project running along an existing railroad corridor connecting Iowa and Illinois. It is the most directly comparable U.S. HVDC interregional transmission project developer to North Plains Connector in scale, technology, and business model.
• TransCanyon / Cross-Tie Transmission: TransCanyon, a joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and PacificCorp, is developing the Cross-Tie HVDC transmission line connecting Utah and Nevada. It is a direct peer as an interregional HVDC transmission developer with similar permitting and contracting dynamics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 North Plains Connector