Project Overview
The Beluga-Healy Transmission Project would establish a second high-voltage connection between Southcentral and Interior Alaska. The 223-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line would connect Beluga-Healy, providing another route to move power between the northern and southern Railbelt. Together with the Alaska Energy Authority’s (AEA) Cook Inlet PowerLink (CIPLink), a proposed subsea high-voltage direct current project, Beluga and Healy would create additional transmission connections across the Railbelt. The project would add redundancy for the existing Alaska Intertie, creating another route to move power between northern and southern Railbelt communities that today rely on a single high-voltage connection. In addition, it would support future electricity demand associated with military Installations and other large energy users along the Railbelt while strengthening system reliability and resilience. Increased transmission capacity would expand access to Railbelt power, supporting opportunities for critical minerals development, mining, industrial activity, and future generation projects. Together with CIPLink, Beluga-Healy would strengthen the Railbelt transmission backbone and support future military, industrial, and resource-development needs.
Project Status
In October 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded up to $150 million through the Defense Production Act, recognizing the project’s potential to support military installations, critical infrastructure, and future industrial development. The remaining $268 million will come from AEA financing, state funding, public-private partnerships, or other grants. Engineering, permitting, environmental review, and route refinement are underway. AEA is evaluating land access, agency approvals, and possible infrastructure-sharing opportunities to support future project development.
Project Benefits
The Railbelt serves approximately 75 percent of Alaska’s population through a single transmission corridor spanning 700 miles from Homer to Fairbanks. The existing Alaska Intertie provides the primary transmission connection between Southcentral and Interior Alaska, which can limit power transfers between the northern and southern Railbelt when disruptions occur along the corridor. Beluga-Healy would create a geographically separate transmission path, adding redundancy and increasing the ability to move power between Railbelt utilities. The additional transmission capacity would also support future electricity demand from military installations, industrial development, critical minerals development, and other large energy users.