Half of Minnesota Power’s energy provided flows from renewable sources

Published on December 18, 2020 by Chris Galford

With the addition of power from the Nobles 2 wind project, approximately half of the electricity provided to Minnesota Power customers now comes from renewable sources, making it the first Minnesota utility to achieve that level of green progress.

“We are committed to advancing a sustainable future of reliable, affordable and increasingly lower-carbon energy for our customers and our communities, and this is an important milestone in our clean energy transformation from relying almost completely on coal to delivering 50 percent renewable energy, accomplished while keeping our residential rates the lowest in the state of Minnesota and improving the reliability of our system,” ALLETE President and CEO Bethany Owen said.

ALLETE is a major investor in the Nobles 2 wind project, which is under contract to provide 20 years of power to Minnesota Power. That contract has allowed Minnesota Power’s wind portfolio to grow to approximately 870 MW of owned and contracted capacity. It was the second 2020 project to help the company reach its goals, following the Great Northern Transmission line, which provides 250 MW of hydropower from Manitoba Hydro.

The company’s EnergyForward strategy continues to push it forward, though, through the retirement of coal-fired generators, the addition of wind and other renewable sources, and improved reliability and resiliency for Minnesota Power’s transmission and distribution systems.

“Minnesota Power’s next biennial Integrated Resource Plan is scheduled to be submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in February,” Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power vice president of strategy and planning, said. “That plan will outline scenarios for the thoughtful transition of our coal units at Boswell 3 and 4, the next steps for the transition to even more renewable energy, and more investments in the grid to enhance reliability, all while working to ensure affordability, the health of our communities, and opportunities for our employees.”