Kiewit and Quanta Awarded $1.7B Contract to Build Grain Belt Express, the Largest Transmission Line in U.S.

Grain Belt Express, currently the largest electric transmission project in the United States, has announced $1.7 billion in combined construction contracts awarded to Quanta Services and Kiewit Energy Group Inc. These two U.S.-based infrastructure leaders have been selected to deliver Phase 1 of a project that promises to reshape the nation’s transmission landscape.

Grain Belt Express - Project Details

Grain Belt Express is an 800-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project designed to enhance interregional power transfer across four U.S. states: Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Developed by Invenergy, the line has secured approvals from all four states, having been recognized as a project serving the public interest.

The transmission line is expected to deliver up to 5,000 megawatts of energy capacity, helping to reduce energy costs and improve reliability across the Midwest. According to Invenergy, the project could generate approximately $52 billion in energy cost savings for consumers over a 15-year period by increasing transmission efficiency and enabling access to more competitive energy markets.

Grain Belt Express is being developed in phases. Phase 1 will connect Kansas and Missouri, with construction targeted to begin in 2026. This phase alone is expected to create over 4,000 jobs, primarily in construction, engineering, and procurement.

Beyond capacity and cost savings, the line is designed to enhance grid security and support the integration of both new and existing generation assets. It will connect to multiple regional grids and enable the dispatch of more than eight gigawatts of generation capacity. Its open-access, merchant model allows market participants to contract for transmission services without relying solely on ratepayer funding—a model intended to promote market efficiency and reduce cost risk to the public.

The video below present further details about the project (courtesy of Half as Interesting – Youtube).

Kiewit and Quanta Named EPC Contractors for Grain Belt Express Phase 1

Invenergy has selected Quanta Services and Kiewit Energy Group Inc. as the principal construction contractors for Phase 1 of the Grain Belt Express project. Together, these firms bring decades of experience in large-scale infrastructure delivery, with strong track records in power transmission and energy sector EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) work.

The combined contract awards total nearly $1.7 billion, underscoring the project’s scale and significance. Quanta and Kiewit are expected to manage the full scope of construction activities across the Kansas-to-Missouri segment, including field works, material procurement, and local labor mobilization.

Invenergy’s CEO, Michael Polsky, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:

“We’re pleased to partner with Quanta and Kiewit as we build the biggest transmission line in U.S. history. Grain Belt Express is a transformative project that delivers jobs and deepens America’s energy supply chain capabilities in innovative transmission technology.”

Both companies have existing operational footprints in Kansas and Missouri, which will help facilitate local sourcing of construction materials—such as concrete, aggregate, conduit, and piping—and support regional workforce development. Project offices for Phase 1 will be based in Overland Park and Lenexa, KS, further reinforcing the commitment to regional economic engagement.

Local Partnerships and Supply Chain Development

Both Quanta and Kiewit maintain a strong presence in Kansas and Missouri and plan to source materials locally where feasible. This includes civil materials such as concrete, aggregate, conduit, and piping. The main engineering, procurement, and construction operations for Phase 1 will be based in Overland Park and Lenexa, Kansas.

“Grain Belt Express is an important project that supports the country’s energy dominance priority, manufacturing reshoring, mission to lead the world in artificial intelligence and secure our grid,” said Duke Austin, President and CEO of Quanta Services.
“The entire Quanta team, including those at our Infrastructure Solutions Group in Kansas City, is ready and looks forward to helping modernize our electric infrastructure and bring much-needed relief to energy consumers across the Midwest.”

“We’re very pleased to be an integral part of the Grain Belt Express project, which is focused on delivering a significant transmission project that will help ensure reliable, secure power in the United States,” said Chad Jessen, Executive Vice President, Kiewit Energy Group Inc.

Other Strategic Supplier and Partner Engagements

In parallel with the contractor awards, Grain Belt Express Phase 1 continues to build out its domestic supply chain and commercial partnerships:

Prysmian North America: A long-term supply agreement for transmission conductors, tied to a 50,000-square-foot factory expansion in Williamsport, PA, which will double U.S. capacity for select advanced conductors using domestic aluminum.
Hubbell: An equipment agreement for insulators and transmission assemblies, supporting operations in Centralia, MO, Leeds, AL, and Aiken, SC.
Siemens Energy: A key partner supplying HVDC converter technology, supporting full EPC delivery for the Kansas and Missouri converter stations.
Missouri Public Utility Alliance: Signed agreements to deliver energy savings to 39 municipal utilities throughout Missouri.
Landowner Agreements: Over 1,500 easement agreements have been signed, totaling $105 million, with $19 million already disbursed and an additional $86 million to be paid during construction. More than 95% of land acquisition for the Phase 1 main line is now complete.