In a pivotal decision, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has given the green light to Xcel Energy's ambitious plan to expand its Sherco Solar project in the state of Minnesota. This expansion will further bolster Xcel Energy's commitment to clean energy generation and significantly enhance the state's solar capacity.
Originally, Xcel Energy's Sherco Solar project, with a capacity of 250MW, had already secured its position as Minnesota's largest solar facility. However, the recent approval from MPUC paves the way for a substantial expansion, pushing the project's total capacity to an impressive 710MW. This expansion represents a monumental shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix in the state.
Xcel Energy's journey towards a greener future began with its initial permission from MPUC in September 2022. Construction commenced in May of the following year, with two phases planned for completion. The first phase, located in Clear Lake Township, is expected to be finalized in 2024, while the second phase in Becker Township aims for completion in 2025. The newly approved third phase is slated to conclude by the end of the same year.
Chris Clark, President of Xcel Energy for Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota, expressed gratitude for the support received from the Commission, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and labor partners. He highlighted the pivotal role that Sherco Solar will play in the company's commitment to clean energy while ensuring affordability for consumers. The project is poised to deliver the lowest-cost solar energy within Xcel Energy's Upper Midwest system.
The significance of this expansion goes beyond capacity alone. Xcel Energy has invested a substantial $406 million into this third phase, bringing its total investment in the Sherco project to over $1 billion. This monumental investment is expected to have a profound impact on Minnesota's energy landscape.
According to data from the US Solar Energy Industries Association, Minnesota had 1.8GW of solar capacity installed as of the second quarter of this year, with plans to double this capacity over the next five years. In a remarkable transformation, the state has surged from the 34th to the 17th position in installed solar capacity among the 50 US states in just one year.
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Xcel Energy's unwavering commitment to renewable energy sources is further evidenced by its plans to replace its 598MW Allen S. King coal plant with a substantial 650MW solar-plus-storage project. Coupled with the Sherco project's expansion, this move sets the stage for significant growth in Minnesota's solar sector.
As Xcel Energy continues to pursue its long-term strategy of phasing out coal-fired electricity generation and embracing solar power, the expansion of the Sherco Solar project marks a momentous milestone in the state's transition towards a sustainable and cleaner energy future.
