US electricity utility Xcel Energy is seeking proposals from interested developers to replace its coal-fired Allen S King plant with at least 650 MW new solar specific projects or those that combine solar with energy storage, such as batteries.
Its Allen S King coal-fired power plant in Oak-Park Heights in Minnesota is due to retire in 2028. The utility plans to reuse existing grid connections on site with a clean energy source to make the transition cost-effective. The move will also protect against rising fuel prices, it added.
Minimum project size sought at a single location is 75 MW AC. It should be located in Wisconsin with ability to reuse transmission connection with Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO).
Xcel wants solar projects that can begin supplying clean electricity with commercial operation dates from December 31, 2027 to December 31, 2029. On completion, it is expected to generate enough electricity to power some 135,000 homes/year on an average.
The utility says it announced the request for proposals (RFP) on July 26, 2023 and will admit the same till September 5, 2023. Details are available on its website.
For Xcel, this RFP is part of its overarching ambition to reduce its carbon emissions by 85% in the region by 2030, compared with 2005 as it seeks to become a 100% carbon-free electricity supplier under its Upper Midwest Energy Plan.
According to Xcel, "The plan calls for retiring all the company's coal plants by 2030, dramatically increasing wind and solar energy, and ensuring reliable, affordable energy by extending the use of carbon-free nuclear energy."