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The Xcel Energy plan to transition away from a carbon-reliant power system by the Year 2040, may have implications locally but it may not. It depends on which aspects of the plan are approved by state regulators and how the requests for proposals to implement the plan shake out.  Chisago County is home to the largest substation in the state, it has significant acreage of solar arrays contributing to the grid (see map) and Xcel utilizes a hydroelectric dam on the St Croix at Taylors Falls-St Croix Falls.

As explained in the plan, Xcel will add to its already substantial solar power energy resources, but exactly what this translates to mean for Chisago County, as home to a leading number of solar arrays, is unclear. 

Theo Keith, Xcel spokesperson, told the Press the Xcel plan is for 3,600 megawatts of solar/wind power to be added by 2030. 

“It’s too early to say where we would locate these additional resources, or which existing facilities might expand,” he stated.

There will be a request for proposals based on accepted aspects in the plan and the RFPs will determine new resource locations, he added.

The transition plan under review and open to public comment right now, increases renewables and adding 600 megawatts of battery storage ability—  to reach 100 percent decarbonizing of power here in Minnesota by 2040.  

Xcel does not own solar arrays or operate their production capabilities, so the logistics of added power capacity is up to the solar developers who do own the arrays, Keith cautioned.

The resource transition plan does call for continued reliance on the existing dam on the St Croix. The hydro-generating station has the power capacity to serve 19,500 homes annually, Keith noted.

Xcel plans to extend the life of two nuclear plants and retire coal-fired plants.

Coal generators at Sherco retire in 2026 and in 2030,  and at the King Plant in 2028.

The transition plan is predicated on there being continued  support for clean energy incentives, which are provisions of the Biden Administration Inflation Reduction Act.  

Keith said that Xcel officials  are involved in efforts to ensure beneficial policies  remain in place, explaining, “We are working with like-minded companies and other stakeholders to educate lawmakers on the many positive impacts of these tax credits, for their constituents.” 

Xcel only projects a need for rate increases around one percent per year, keeping costs low through “unlocking” $5.7 billion in renewable generation and energy storage tax credit savings.

Anyone who wants to be heard on this transition plan can contribute testimony through written comments and participate in upcoming virtual meetings.

The Public Utilities Commission docket number for the plan review process is 24-67.

See mn.gov/puc to find the comment contribution icon, open until 4:30 p.m. June 28.

There is a virtual information availability Monday June 17, twice during the day. The first is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and the follow-up is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Other in-person sessions are being held around the state where major Xcel facilities are located— but none locally.

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