[ad_1]
Xcel Energy announced Monday it plans to close its last two Midwest coal plants a decade earlier than planned.
The plan, which is subject to the approval of Minnesota regulators, provides for significant additions to wind and solar power, as well as natural gas and the Monticello nuclear power plant.
Xcel announced the closure of the 511 megawatt Allen S. King station in Washington County by 2028, followed by the 939 megawatt Sherco 3 generator by 2030. Two more units from the Sherco County Sherburne had to close before 2024.
The replacement portfolio includes more than 3,000 megawatts of new generation solar power spread across the company's footprint in the US Midwest, which includes Minnesota as well as parts of the Dakotas and western Wisconsin.
According to Xcel, by 2030, more than half of the energy supplied to Midwestern customers will come from renewable sources and will result in an 80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to 2005, which is expected to increase. it qualifies as an "essential stepping stone" in reducing carbon emissions. mid-century electricity.
The company said the plan, which is expected to be submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Board no later than July 1, provides customers with reliable, low-cost service.
Xcel said it has worked with a coalition of environmental groups and workers on the deal, which includes the purchase of the Mankato Energy Center natural gas power plant from Southern Power Company. .
The spokesman, Randy Fordice, said the plan includes the construction of a 786-megawatt natural gas plant in Sherburne County, previously announced.
The agreement also provides for the continued operation of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Station by at least 2040. The current license for the plant will expire in 2030.
Xcel also operates two nuclear reactors at Prairie Island, whose licenses are licensed until 2033 and 2034. Fordice stated that these plants would be addressed in future resource management plans.
Headquartered in Minnesota, Xcel has approximately 250,000 customers in Wisconsin. It was the first major utility owned by an investor to promise zero carbon power by 2050.
MGE targets a carbon neutral electricity by 2050; A Madison utility says that a new technology will be needed
Last week, Madison Gas & Electric announced a similar goal of zero carbon electricity at the same time.
[ad_2]
Source link