Xcel Energy to close its coal-fired power plants in USA a decade early

• 4 years ago (2019-05-22)
• David Flin

Coal 274 North America 998

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Xcel Energy, one of the largest utilities in the USA, has announced that it will close its remaining coal-fired power plants in the Upper Midwest a decade ahead of schedule, and add 3000 MW of new solar capacity by 2030. It is the latest step in the utility’s plan to provide 100 per cent carbon-free electricity by 2050.

Chris Clark, President of Xcel’s operations in Minnesota and the Dakotas said: “This is a significant step forward as we are on track to reduce carbon emissions more than 80 per cent by 2030, and transform the way we deliver energy to our customers.”

Xcel has said it will shut its 511 MW Allen S. King Generation Station by 2028, and its 2238 MW Sherburne County (Sherco) plant by 2030. It also agreed to run one of the units at the Sherco facility only seasonally, and close the unit permanently in 2023. Xcel said it will increase investment in energy efficiency measures, bring 1850 MW of new wind capacity online in Minnesota by 2022, as well as keep its Monticello Nuclear Generating Station operating until 2040, a decade later than previously planned.