ITC Transmission
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy (Electric transmission) |
| Predecessor | International Transmission Co. (division of Detroit Edison) |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Fate | Acquired by Fortis Inc. in 2016 |
| Successor | ITC Transmission (operating name) |
| Headquarters | Novi, Michigan , United States |
Area served | Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin |
| Products | High-voltage electric transmission networks |
| Owner | Fortis Inc. |
| Parent | Fortis Inc. |
| Website | www |
ITC Holdings Corporation, operating under the name ITC Transmission, is a U.S.-based energy firm specializing in the ownership and management of high-voltage electric transmission networks. With its corporate headquarters located in Novi, Michigan, ITC's operational footprint spans Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. The company functions as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canadian utility enterprise Fortis Inc..
History
Established in 1999 as International Transmission Co., initially a division of Detroit Edison (currently DTE Energy Electric Company), ITC was responsible for overseeing Detroit Edison's transmission infrastructure. In 2003, DTE divested this division to ITC Holdings Corp., marking the emergence of the first fully independent electric transmission entity within the United States. ITC Holdings Corp. () became publicly traded in 2005 and commenced construction of its Novi headquarters the following year. Today, it manages transmission assets across several states through a distinctive independent operational framework.
On February 9, 2016, Fortis Inc., headquartered in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, announced its intention to acquire ITC Holdings for approximately $6.9 billion, including the assumption of $4.4 billion in debt via a transaction involving both cash and stock. Fortis pledged to retain all ITC personnel and sustain ITC’s operations as an autonomous entity based at its Novi location.
ITC Michigan
The ITC Michigan network encompasses a significant portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and includes transmission facilities formerly owned by Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison.
The original ITC Transmission system
The initial ITC Transmission network serves southeastern Michigan along with the Thumb area, overlapping with DTE Electric’s service territory. Operational since March 1, 2003, ITC manages transmission lines energized at voltages of 345 kV, 230 kV, 138 kV, and 120 kV.
ITC maintains three 345 kV interconnections with FirstEnergy Corporation in Ohio via Toledo Edison (specifically the Bayshore-Monroe, Majestic-Monroe-Allen Junction, and Majestic-Lemoyne lines). Although these lines are under ITC ownership, they run on towers originally constructed and owned by Consumers as they traverse southern Monroe and southeastern Lenawee Counties.
Additionally, there are four connections with Ontario-based Hydro One—one at 345 kV (St. Clair-Lambton #1) and three at 230 kV (Keith-Waterman, St. Clair-Lambton #2, and Bunce Creek-Scott).
During the early 2010s, ITC implemented the "Michigan Thumb Loop," a new double-circuit 345 kV line supported by steel tubular towers designed to enhance grid reliability in the Thumb Region and facilitate integration of new generation sources such as wind energy projects. This initiative reached completion in 2015.
ITC Transmission operates nearly 2,800 circuit miles of transmission lines supported by approximately 17,700 towers and 171 stations and substations. Its system includes 230 kV lines servicing Metro Detroit areas like Shelby Township in Macomb County where two lines intersect at Jewell Substation. A prominent element is the "Edison Corridor," which features two double-circuit 345 kV lines (partially single-circuit) alongside two 120 kV lines stretching roughly 20 miles through Warren, Sterling Heights, Utica, Shelby, and Washington Townships.
Since its inception in 2003, ITC has invested close to $1.2 billion toward modernizing electric infrastructure within Metro Detroit. According to a 2012 benchmark study by SGS Statistical Services on Transmission Reliability, ITC ranks among the top decile of electric utilities based on metrics related to sustained outages.
Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC)
In October 2006, ITC Holdings Corp. completed the acquisition of Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC), whose network largely coincides with Consumers Energy's service territory and functions at voltage levels of 345,000, 230,000, and 138,000 volts. Consumers Energy continued to operate its radial 138 kV lines independently. METC constructed the Keystone to Clearwater Line extending northeast from Traverse City to Kalkaska, originally designed for 230 kV operation but currently energized at 138 kV pending future upgrades.
METC maintains four 345 kV interconnections with American Electric Power through AEP’s Indiana Michigan Power subsidiary: Palisades-Cook #1, Palisades-Cook #2, Argenta-Robinson Park, and Argenta-Twin Branch.
Furthermore, METC has established six 138 kV interconnections with other utilities: one each with Northern Indiana Public Service Company (via the Barton-Batavia line) and Alpena Power Company; two with Cloverland Electric Cooperative in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (McGulpin-Straits #1 and #2); and two with Lansing Board of Water & Light (Davis-Oneida and Davis-Enterprise lines). Current capital projects include rebuilding a 138 kV segment near East Tawas and upgrading the Oakland-Tihart line.
The company operates approximately 5,600 circuit miles of transmission lines supported by nearly 36,900 towers and poles along with 98 substations spanning most of Michigan’s lower peninsula. In a 2012 industry benchmark study assessing sustained outage performance, METC ranked within the top 10% of electric utilities for operational reliability.
Interconnections between ITC Transmission and METC
West of DTE Electric's service area, four 345 kV interconnection lines connect ITC and METC: Majestic-Tompkins, Majestic-Battle Creek-Oneida, Jewell-Thetford, and Pontiac-Hampton. Additionally, there are five interconnections operating at 120/138 kV voltage levels: Custer-Whiting, Genoa-Latson, Hemphill-Hunters Creek, Washtenaw-Lark-Blackstone, and Atlanta-Thetford-Karn. Within DTE’s territory, the Michigan Thumb Loop line links to Consumers/METC’s Pontiac-Hampton line at the Bauer Substation located in Tuscola County.
A critical connection point is the Morocco Substation in Deerfield Township, Lenawee County. This substation connects two 138 kV Beecher-Whiting circuits between Adrian and Consumers’ J. R. Whiting Generating Complex with the 345 kV Majestic-Lemoyne line. The Morocco Substation was developed to mitigate transmission constraints following the scheduled shutdown of the Whiting plant in 2016.
ITC Midwest
Operating across Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Missouri, ITC Midwest LLC manages transmission systems acquired on December 20, 2007, when ITC purchased Interstate Power and Light Company’s transmission assets from Alliant Energy. The company owns around 6,600 circuit miles of transmission infrastructure supported by 262 stations and substations. Since 2008, ITC Midwest has facilitated approximately 2,137 megawatts of wind generation capacity through sixteen new generator interconnections—surpassing Iowa’s entire wind capacity as of 2007.
ITC Great Plains
As a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp. under ITC Grid Development, LLC, ITC Great Plains operates as a transmission-only utility serving Kansas and Oklahoma. It became an independent transmission entity within the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in September 2006. Distinct from other ITC subsidiaries, ITC Great Plains employs a "greenfield" strategy focused on new infrastructure development rather than acquisitions. Its assets include roughly 190 miles of transmission lines supported by about 1,168 towers and poles along with five stations and substations.
ITC Grid Development
Established in 2006, ITC Grid Development focuses on identifying new investment prospects within the U.S. transmission network. This division prioritizes collaboration with regional utilities to improve electric system reliability through infrastructure enhancements and the expansion of the grid across various areas.
Private Fiber Network
In 2019, ITC Holdings revealed its intention to install a private fiber optic network along its transmission corridors. This project aligns with a $4 billion capital expenditure strategy spanning five years, with annual investments ranging between $700 million and $800 million, aimed at boosting reliability and advancing grid modernization efforts.