
Xcel Energy (NYSE:XEL) utility subsidiary Northern States Power (NSP) is putting forth a resource plan in Minnesota that would slash its carbon dioxide emissions 60% by 2030, according to a recent presentation by Xcel Energy.
Xcel Energy recapped its plan to lower CO2 in Minnesota, one of its larger regulated states, during meetings with West Coast investors on June 1 and 2. A copy of the slide presentation to investors was filed June 1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The plan should result in 63% of the NSP system being carbon-free by 2030, according to the Xcel Energy presentation.
The Xcel Energy utility plans to continue operating its nuclear plants through the early 2030s while making further expansions to its renewable energy fleet and utilizing more natural gas and less coal-fired generation.
The resource plan is progressing under Docket # E002/RP-15-21,
Key provisions include:
- Addition of 800 MW of wind & 400 MW of solar (by 2020);
- Addition of 1,000 MW of wind & 1,000 MW solar (2020-2030);
- Retirement of coal-fired Sherco Unit 2 (2023) and Sherco Unit 1 (2026);—
- New 230 MW of natural gas CT in North Dakota by 2025; and
- New 780 MW combined cycle unit at Sherco by 2026.