A Transformative Investment

Multi-year transmission project aims to strengthen grid, improve reliability, and increase energy supply to help ease rising costs.

Liberty is making a significant investment in our regional electric transmission and distribution system to strengthen and modernize the energy grid.

The upgrades are expected to 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, which manages the grid for much of the central U.S., identified this major transmission initiative in response to grid reliability challenges experienced during severe Winter Storms Uri (2021) and Elliott (2022). It includes the construction of approximately 316 miles of high-voltage 345 kV transmission lines, stretching from Southern Kansas through Northeast 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. 

While different entities will construct portions of this transmission line in various regions and states, The Empire District Electric Company, which does business as Liberty, was selected to develop this historic upgrade in Southwest Missouri and the Ozarks. 

In Missouri, the multi-year effort will add approximately 90 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. 

The Missouri project will interconnect with neighboring utilities that are developing other portions of the new 345 kV line through Kansas and Oklahoma. This regional initiative aims to make our Midwest electric grid stronger and more dependable for homes, businesses, and the communities we serve – especially during winter storms and periods of extreme heat, when energy demand is highest.

Phased Approach

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

• 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. 

• We’ll increase the capacity of the existing 161 kV line that runs 53 miles through Monett, Reeds Spring, and the Branson area. These upgrades will take about three years, with construction expected to be completed in 2029. 

• We’ll build an approximately 90-mile 345 kV transmission line across our Missouri electric service area extending to the Oklahoma state line. This major effort is expected to take approximately five years to complete. Some of this new line will be built within our existing 161 kV corridor that runs through Monett to the Branson area. This work is expected to happen concurrently with the planned upgrade to that 161 kV line.  

Rebuilding our existing 161 kV line will help support reliability and resilience, strengthening our system, particularly during storms and periods of extreme weather. To attempt to minimize the impact on residents and landowners, we are co-locating 345kV and 161kV structures along our existing corridors when possible.

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
• Expected to allow greater access to potential sources of lower-cost energy generation, which can help ease rising energy costs. 
• Helping to increase local economic development opportunities – which can mean jobs and businesses – by providing reliable energy to support growth in the Branson and Joplin areas and beyond
• Allowing for rural development in our service area and across Missouri – the project aims to increase access to needed transmission for Liberty and other utilities to help support growth
• Helping to keep costs down for our customers by sharing costs for the project among SPP members, all of whom are expected to benefit from this work, including Liberty customers