Shovel-Ready Interconnects: Delivering Affordable Power Quickly

This OpenMinds analysis identifies 18 high-voltage transmission projects that can begin construction by 2030 and together unlock 65 GW of grid capacity. The projects target regions with high load growth, including Texas, Virginia, the Southeast and the Northwest, and add transfer capability between regions to ease transmission bottlenecks.

Key points

• The 18 projects are estimated to deliver about $180 billion in net customer benefits from a roughly $68 billion investment, about $2.50 in benefits for every $1 invested (low estimate), with a payback of 5 to 8 years.
• Investment in the grid could unlock about $3,000 in lifetime savings for each American household over 50 years.
• Higher voltage lowers costs: using MISO data, 765 kV lines deliver power at $903 per MW-mile versus $3,581 for 230 kV lines, a 75% decrease.
• The list was narrowed from over 4,000 publicly announced U.S. transmission projects to 47, then to 18 that have started or finished siting and permitting.