Montana-Dakota Utilities, a division of MDU Resources Group, Inc., has received approval today from the North Dakota Public Service Commission of a route permit for a transmission line and substation in southeastern North Dakota.

The approximately $21 million project would connect a proposed wind generation farm being developed by enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Co., to the electric grid. The 150-MW wind farm, called the Merricourt Wind Project, is in Dickey and McIntosh counties in southeastern North Dakota.

The 230-kV transmission line will extend approximately 30 miles from Ellendale, North Dakota, to the proposed wind farm. The substation will be located near the wind farm. Construction is expected to begin next week, with completion expected early in the first quarter of 2012.

“In addition to connecting enXco’s wind farm to the grid, the increased transmission capabilities of this project will support the development of additional wind in southeastern North Dakota,” said David L. Goodin, president and CEO of Montana-Dakota Utilities.

Montana-Dakota customers will not bear any of the costs associated with the project; those costs will be recovered through an approved interconnect tariff.

enXco has received all permits necessary to begin construction from the North Dakota Public Service Commission and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and is ready to build if the utility purchaser, Northern States Power, agrees to resolve litigation over its attempt to terminate the project.