Black Hills Corp Advances Wyoming Energy Infrastructure with Key Project
Wyoming, Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
Black Hills Corp energizes the first phase of its Wyoming transmission project, enhancing energy reliability and supporting economic growth, with full completion expected by the end of 2025.
Major Milestone Achievement
Black Hills Corp (NYSE: BKH) [4] has successfully energized a crucial 12-mile segment and associated substations near Cheyenne, Wyoming, marking the first phase completion of its Ready Wyoming Electric Transmission Expansion Project on January 15, 2025 [1]. This milestone represents a significant step in the company’s largest electric transmission project to date, which will ultimately span approximately 260 miles across Wyoming [1].
Project Scope and Economic Impact
The comprehensive infrastructure initiative, approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission in 2022 [1], includes the construction of six new, replacement, or expanded substations [1]. The project spans five counties and involves approximately 300 landowners [1]. Upon completion, Ready Wyoming is projected to generate over $100 million in economic benefits for the state [1]. Black Hills Corp, headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, currently serves 1.34 million utility customers across eight states [1][4].
Strategic Importance
The Ready Wyoming project addresses critical infrastructure needs, particularly supporting growing energy demands from data centers in the region [1]. Wyoming’s appeal for data center operations is enhanced by its business-friendly environment, tax exemptions on equipment, and competitive electricity pricing [4]. The project will also reduce dependence on third-party systems while connecting to electricity markets both east and west [1].
Looking Ahead
Construction of the Ready Wyoming project, which began in 2023 [1], is proceeding as planned with full operational status targeted for the end of 2025 [1]. According to Linn Evans, President and CEO of Black Hills Corp, ‘Ready Wyoming delivers on our commitment to serving the growing energy needs of our customers in Wyoming’ [1]. The company emphasizes its focus on cost management, with Senior Vice President of Utilities, Marne Jones, stating their commitment to ‘prudently managing costs for customers’ [1].