ITC Holdings Corp. and NorthWestern Energy have signed an expression of interest to collaborate on development of ITC's seven-state Green Power Express transmission project.

The NorthWestern partnership is one of several ITC anticipates signing in support of the 3,000 mile, 765 kV electrical system - a system expected to facilitate the flow of up to 12,000 MW of renewable energy from the upper Midwest to load centers in central Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions of the country.

"We welcome NorthWestern's interest and participation in the Green Power Express and see this agreement as another important milestone in our effort to bring this project to fruition," said Edward M. Rahill, president, ITC Grid Development, LLC. "It is clear that this project is gathering steam and will play an important role in supporting the development of reliable renewable energy in the country. ITC looks forward to building a partnership with Northwestern, MDU and all utilities in the region to make the Green Power Express a reality."

The Green Power Express transmission network project will provide grid access for many of the highest efficiency wind farms in the upper Midwest and will traverse portions of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. It is currently estimated to cost approximately $10 to 12 billion.

NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 656,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Under the terms of the agreement, NorthWestern, headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., has expressed its interest in exploring opportunities in Green Power Express, LP, the entity that was formed by ITC to develop the Green Power Express project. NorthWestern will collaborate with ITC on development efforts and securing the approvals needed to move the project forward. Green Power Express, LP will operate as an independent transmission company.

According to a study by CRA International, efficient movement of up to 12,000 MW of transfer capacity for wind power and the connectivity of over 20,000 MW through the Green Power Express project would result in a reduction of up to 34 million metric tons in carbon emissions, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of about seven to nine 600 MW coal plants, or nine to 11 million automobiles.

The Green Power Express project also will address the recognized need for additional transmission infrastructure and is part of ITC's broader efforts to modernize the overburdened, aging electricity grid.

ITC will continue to pursue Green Power Express discussions and finalize strategic agreements with NorthWestern and other entities. In July, the company signed a strategic agreement with MDU Resources Group, Inc. Other project supporters include NextEra Renewable Energy (formerly FPLE); Iberdrola Renewables; Generation Energy Inc.; Montgomery Power Partners; Denali Energy; National Wind; Crownbutte Wind Power, Inc.; Wind Capital Group; Fox Ridge Energy & Development, LLC; Horizon Wind Energy; Prelude, LLC; Citizens Energy; and RES, Renewable Energy Systems Americas