Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin
Zone 2
Transmission system limitations in Zone 2
There are several potential transmission system performance issues in Zone 2, including limited ability to import or export power, potential generator instability and low and high system voltages. Potential overloads that are a result of multiple contingency planning events will continue to be monitored. The most severe limitations are expected to occur during both peak and off‑peak periods.
Electricity usage
Zone 2 typically experiences peak electric demand during both the summer and winter months. Ore mining and paper mills are the largest electricity users in the zone.
Electric load is forecasted to increase by approximately 0.2 percent annually through 2033. Also, locally generated electricity has declined in recent years. This includes generation owned by industry, municipalities and utilities.
Transmission projects in Zone 2
The most notable planned, proposed, and provisional network / asset-renewal projects in Zone 2 are listed below – along with their projected year of completion and the factors driving the need for the projects.
Recently completed projects include Presque Isle – National 138kV loop-in at National SS which helps to support reliability to the largest load pocket in Zone 2. Multiple future projects are currently in development to improve voltage performance in the Marquette and Munising areas. These projects will further improve the reliability in the Upper Peninsula following the changes to the area’s generation profile in the past 5 years, including the retirement of the Presque Isle Power Plant in 2018.
Zone 2 includes the counties of:
- Alger , Mich.
- Baraga , Mich.
- Chippewa , Mich.
- Delta , Mich.
- Dickinson , Mich.
- Florence , Wis.
- Forest (N) , Wis.
- Gogebic (E) , Mich.
- Houghton , Mich.
- Houghton , Mich.
- Iron , Mich.
- Keweenaw , Mich.
- Luce , Mich.
- Mackinac , Mich.
- Marinette (N) , Wis.
- Marquette , Mich.
- Menonminee (N) , Mich.
- Ontonagon (E) , Mich.
- Schoolcraft , Mich.
- Vilas (N) , Wis.
Zone 2 Proposed Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell Tap – Watson Tap 69-kV (Chandler), Partial Rebuild | 10 | 2026 | Condition and Performance |
Zone 2 Provisional Projects
| Project Description | Project # | In-service year | Need driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A |