A Transformative Investment

Multi-year project will strengthen grid, improve reliability, and help keep energy affordable

Liberty is making a significant investment in our regional electric transmission and distribution system to strengthen and modernize the energy grid. The upgrades will boost the system’s resilience and reliability – especially during periods of high energy demand and extreme weather – so we can continue to deliver the safe, dependable service our customers count on every day.

Project Overview

The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has approved a major project that includes the construction of approximately 316 miles of high-voltage 345 kV transmission lines – stretching from Southern Kansas through Northeastern Oklahoma and into Southwest Missouri and the Ozarks. 

To support this effort, the SPP has approved upgrades to the 161 kV transmission lines that help connect and distribute power from the new 345 kV system.

Think of the 345 kV lines as the “interstate highway” of the electric grid – designed to move large amounts of power across long distances. The 161 kV lines are like "state highways" carrying that power from the main lines into regional and local systems that serve homes and businesses. 

In Missouri, the multi-year, three-phase effort will add another 110 miles of 345 kV lines and rebuild or convert 79 miles of 161 kV lines across Liberty’s electric service area – strengthening the Midwest electric grid and supporting more reliable service for years to come. 

Three-Phase Approach

The project will be completed in three phases, each designed to strengthen and modernize the electric grid in our service area.

• Phase One: We’ll upgrade a 26-mile line from Ozark to near Branson, Missouri, from 69 kV to 161 kV. Parts of this line are over 100 years old. Land survey work is underway in Liberty’s service area. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.
• Phase Two: This phase will increase the capacity of the existing 161 kV line that runs 53 miles through Monett, Reeds Spring, and the Branson area. These upgrades are expected to take about three years to complete
• Phase Three: This phase involves a new 345 kV transmission line across our Missouri electric service area extending to the Oklahoma state line. This major effort will take approximately five years to complete.
  
  As a Missouri electric provider, we’re proud to work with SPP to build and expand Missouri energy transmission for the benefit of Missouri citizens and communities. 
  

Customer Benefits

• Improving energy reliability for the communities we serve and the surrounding region
• Easing congestion throughout the electric grid, which can occur when the transmission capacity is insufficient to handle the flow of electricity, especially during periods of high energy demand, such as during winter storms
• Helping to keep energy affordable for our customers and communities by allowing greater access to lower-cost energy generation
• Increasing local economic development opportunities – which mean jobs and businesses – by ensuring reliable energy is available to support the growth we are experiencing in the Branson and Joplin area and beyond
• Allowing for rural development in our service area and across Missouri – the project will increase access to needed transmission for Liberty and other utilities to help support growth
• Keeping costs down for our customers by sharing costs for the project among SPP members, all of whom will benefit from this work, including Liberty customers

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