Minnesota Power's plan for 700 MW of wind, solar additions cleared by MPUC

Minnesota Power, part of US utility Allete Inc (NYSE:ALE), has received regulatory clearance to expand its wind and solar capacity with up to 700 MW under its 15-year Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), it said on Thursday.

The roadmap that is intended to support the company in achieving its goal for zero-carbon emissions from energy supply by 2050 was unanimously approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).

Specifically, Minnesota Power’s plan is to add up to 400 MW of wind and 300 MW of regional solar power capacity, while it also intends to advance storage projects that support investment in its renewable portfolio. The proposal is an upgrade from the initial version of its integrated resource plan that called for the addition of 200 MW of wind and 200 MW of solar generation capacity.

Minnesota Power supplies electricity to 145,000 customers, 14 municipalities and big industrial customers. The utility has set interim goals of cutting its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 80% by 2035 and achieving an over 70% renewables share in 2030.

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