Xcel proposes $3B in renewable projects to bolster economy dogged by pandemic
Xcel Energy would accelerate nearly $3 billion in spending, particularly on large renewable-energy projects, in response to calls from state utility regulators to jolt Minnesota’s economy from its coronavirus-induced lethargy.
Xcel’s proposal Wednesday calls for a new solar plant in Becker that would be at least four times larger than Minnesota’s current largest solar array. Also, Xcel would speed up plans to “repower” four older wind farms with new turbines and other new equipment.
“We tried to put together a sizable proposal,” said Christopher Clark, Xcel’s president for Minnesota and the Dakotas. “The wind and solar are really the biggest pieces.”
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in early May requested that the state’s electric and gas utilities explain how they could “assist in Minnesota’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Also in response to the PUC, Duluth-based Minnesota Power on Wednesday announced plans to triple its solar capacity with three new arrays around northern Minnesota, a $40 million investment.
The new Minnesota Power solar plants, which together could produce up to 20 megawatts of electricity, are planned at the Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes, the Sylvan Hydro Station near Brainerd and at an unidentified site in Duluth.
“Moving up the timetable of planned solar projects will boost the tax base of local economies, add solar panels from regional manufacturers when possible, and support local construction jobs,” Minnesota Power CEO Bethany Owen said in a statement.
Most of the construction on the three projects will take place in 2021.
https://www.startribune.com/xcel-propos ... 571328642/
RABBLE RABBLE RABBLEXcel Energy would accelerate nearly $3 billion in spending, particularly on large renewable-energy projects, in response to calls from state utility regulators to jolt Minnesota’s economy from its coronavirus-induced lethargy.
Xcel’s proposal Wednesday calls for a new solar plant in Becker that would be at least four times larger than Minnesota’s current largest solar array. Also, Xcel would speed up plans to “repower” four older wind farms with new turbines and other new equipment.
“We tried to put together a sizable proposal,” said Christopher Clark, Xcel’s president for Minnesota and the Dakotas. “The wind and solar are really the biggest pieces.”
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in early May requested that the state’s electric and gas utilities explain how they could “assist in Minnesota’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Also in response to the PUC, Duluth-based Minnesota Power on Wednesday announced plans to triple its solar capacity with three new arrays around northern Minnesota, a $40 million investment.
The new Minnesota Power solar plants, which together could produce up to 20 megawatts of electricity, are planned at the Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes, the Sylvan Hydro Station near Brainerd and at an unidentified site in Duluth.
“Moving up the timetable of planned solar projects will boost the tax base of local economies, add solar panels from regional manufacturers when possible, and support local construction jobs,” Minnesota Power CEO Bethany Owen said in a statement.
Most of the construction on the three projects will take place in 2021.
https://www.startribune.com/xcel-propos ... 571328642/