REGIONAL— Minnesota Power has become the first utility in the state to deliver 50 percent of its electrical energy to customers from renewable sources, primarily wind and hydro.
According to a statement from Allete, Minnesota Power’s parent company, the achievement highlights the success of MP’s EnergyForward strategy to transition to cleaner energy sources while meeting customer expectations for reliable and affordable electricity. The company reached the 50-percent milestone when the Nobles 2 wind project in southwestern Minnesota came online in December.
“We are committed to advancing a sustainable future of reliable, affordable and increasingly lower-carbon energy for our customers and our communities,” said Bethany Owen, President and CEO of Allete. “This was accomplished while keeping our residential rates the lowest in the state of Minnesota and improving the reliability of our system.”
The Nobles 2 wind project will supply renewable energy to Minnesota Power through a 20-year power purchase agreement. An Allete subsidiary is also an investor in the project.
With Nobles 2 operational, Minnesota Power’s wind portfolio has grown to approximately 870 megawatts of owned and contracted wind capacity. The Nobles 2 wind addition also adds geographic diversity to Minnesota Power’s wind portfolio, complementing its North Dakota wind sites and contracts.
Nobles 2 is the second 2020 project to help Minnesota Power reach its 50-percent target. The first was the Great Northern Transmission line, energized this past June. This 500 kilovolt line delivers 250 megawatts of carbon-free hydropower from Manitoba Hydro to Minnesota Power customers. Innovative power purchase agreements with Manitoba Hydro include a unique wind provision that allows Minnesota Power the flexibility to balance its intermittent wind energy in North Dakota with hydroelectric power that is available on demand.
“We are proud of how far we have come in this transformation, but we know we have more work to do,” said Owen.
Indeed, Minnesota Power is making additional plans to further transform its energy supply.
“Minnesota Power’s next biennial Integrated Resource Plan is scheduled to be submitted to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in February,” said Julie Pierce, Minnesota Power Vice President of Strategy and Planning. “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.”
Under Minnesota Power’s EnergyForward strategy, the company has:
• Reduced carbon emissions by 50 percent from 2005 to present.
• Retired or idled seven of nine coal-fired generators.
• Added nearly 900 megawatts of wind energy to its energy mix.
• Added 11 megawatts of solar energy, with plans to add about 20 more megawatts in 2021.
• Improved the reliability and resiliency of transmission and distribution systems.
• Refurbished the state of Minnesota’s largest hydropower system to keep it operating for decades into the future.
• Added smart meters and other technologies to help customers gain more control over their energy use and their bills.
Minnesota Power provides electric service within a 26,000-square-mile area in northeastern Minnesota, including the Tower-Soudan and Lake Vermilion area. It also supplies electricity to the Ely Public Utilities through a power supply contract.