The Soo Green HVDC Link is a proposed 2,100 MW underground transmission line designed to connect wind-rich Iowa with major demand centers in Illinois. Unlike most HVDC projects, Soo Green will be buried along existing rail corridors, reducing land-use conflicts and speeding permitting.
If completed, it would be one of the first U.S. projects to use this approach, potentially setting a precedent for other underground HVDC interconnectors. It is strategically important for integrating Midwest wind power into the Eastern U.S. grid.
Project Facts Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | ~349 miles (~562 km) |
| Capacity | 2,100 MW |
| Voltage | ±525 kV HVDC |
| Investment Size | ~$2.5 billion |
| Companies | Siemens Energy (ETR: ENR), Prysmian (BIT: PRY) |
| Status (2025) | Permitting stage |
| Expected Completion | ~2029 (subject to approvals) |
Background
- Location: Runs from Mason City, Iowa, to Plano, Illinois.
- Ownership: Soo Green HVDC Link ProjectCo LLC, backed by private equity infrastructure investors (including Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners).
- Purpose: Transmit surplus Midwest wind generation to the PJM Interconnection market, helping decarbonize the U.S. grid.
- Unique feature: Buried entirely along a Canadian Pacific railway corridor, reducing right-of-way disputes.
Investor Angle
While the project itself is privately owned, investors gain exposure through the listed suppliers:
- Siemens Energy (ETR: ENR): Supplying HVDC converter technology.
- Prysmian (BIT: PRY): Providing underground HVDC cables, a key order for its U.S. operations.
Why it matters for investors:
- U.S. HVDC pipeline is nascent compared to Europe/China, making Soo Green a flagship project.
- Successful execution could lead to similar rail-corridor HVDC projects, creating recurring demand for suppliers.
- Orderbook growth in North America is particularly relevant for Prysmian’s U.S. business expansion.
FAQ
Q: What is the Soo Green HVDC Link?
It is a proposed 2,100 MW underground HVDC transmission project connecting Iowa and Illinois, using existing rail corridors.
Q: When will the Soo Green project be completed?
As of 2025, it is still in permitting. Completion is unlikely before 2029.
Q: Why is Soo Green important?
It will demonstrate underground HVDC deployment in the U.S., easing land-use conflicts and integrating Midwest renewables.
Q: Which companies are involved?
Siemens Energy (converter systems) and Prysmian (cables).
Q: Can investors buy into the project directly?
No. It is privately owned, but investors can gain indirect exposure through listed suppliers like Siemens Energy and Prysmian.