Xcel Energy holds groundbreaking ceremony for Sherco Solar project
[anvplayer video=”5178070″ station=”998122″]
Xcel Energy held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for what is expected to become the largest solar project in the Upper Midwest.
As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has signed off on the project, which could triple the amount of solar on its Upper Midwest system by 2028.
RELATED: Xcel Energy announces plan to build largest solar project in Minnesota
The site is being built near the company’s existing coal-fired plant in Becker. The company says the 460-megawatt project will provide enough energy to power 100,000 homes once it’s finished in 2025.
Company officials are also asking the state for permission to add an additional 250-megawatt solar project at the site as part of Xcel’s plans to reduce carbon emissions by 85% and retire all coal-generating units by 2030.
A rendering for the Sherco Solar Plant. Credit: Xcel Energy
RELATED: PUC approves 200-megawatt solar project in Dodge County