Planning is underway for Xcel Energy’s Minnesota Energy Connection transmission line. This roughly 175-mile project is imperative for connecting renewables in wind-rich southwest Minnesota to our electric system via the existing grid connection at Sherco near Becker. This transmission line alone will enable up to 4,000 megawatts of new renewables to come online!
The emissions impact of replacing carbon-generating coal-fired electricity with new, lower-cost renewable energy is significant. In addition to helping Minnesota meet its climate goals, it will also help Minnesota to stay on the path toward 100% clean electricity by 2040.
Projects like the MN Energy Connection are crucial in delivering new renewable energy to customers throughout the regional grid. If you want to learn more about transmission and the energy transition, check out our blog! On February 21, 2024, Fresh Energy filed more than 300 comments at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on behalf of Minnesotans in support the project. The project will now move on to a prehearing conference in late March 2024, with work continuing throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information!
