Minnesota PUC Approves $406 Million Expansion of Xcel Energy’s Sherco Solar Park to Triple Renewable Capacity.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a USD-406-million plan to expand Xcel Energy’s Sherco Solar Park to 710 MW, which will triple the amount of solar energy available in the Upper Midwest and power over 150,000 homes annually. Construction of the initial 460-MW phase began in late April and the entire capacity should be commissioned by the end of 2025. The expansion will bring Xcel’s total investment in Sherco to over USD 1 billion, and will triple its amount of renewable energy on its Upper Midwest system by 2028. None of the new solar capacity is expected to help reduce carbon emissions in the region as part of Xcel’s goal of providing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.