Xcel Energy Sherco Solar Project
Project Docket Details
| Docket No | E-002/TL-21-189, E-002/TL-21-190, E-002/GS-21-191 |
| Project name | Xcel Energy Sherco Solar Project |
| Applicant | Xcel Energy |
| Description | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy is proposing to construct an up to 460-megawatt solar project and two 345 kilovolt transmission lines to interconnect the Solar Project to the grid. As proposed, the West high voltage transmission line (HVTL) is approximately 3.2 miles long and the East HVTL line is approximately 1.7 miles long; both HVTL lines connect the Solar Project to the existing Sherburne County Substation. The Solar Project will partially replace energy production of the Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, which will cease operations in 2023. |
| Location | Sherburne County |
| Contact | William Cole Storm bill.storm@state.mn.us 651.539.1844 |
| Status |
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Project Summary
Xcel Energy proposes to construct the Solar Project, a solar energy conversion facility with an up to 460-MW alternating current nameplate capacity, in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The Solar Project will partially replace energy production of the nearly 700 MW Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, the retiring of which in 2023 was approved by the Commission in October 2016.1 The Solar Project is located within agricultural fields between U.S. Highway 10 and the Mississippi River, and on the east and west sides of the existing Sherco Generating Plant.
The Project represents a joint development between Xcel Energy and National Grid Renewables Development, LLC (NG Renewables).
Key Project Documents
| Date | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 09/27/2022 | Commission Final Decision - Sherco Solar Project | Based on careful consideration of the record, as well as the site permit and route permit criteria contained in Minn. R. 7850.4100 and Minn. Stat. § 216E.03, the Commission concludes that all procedural requirements have been met and that the project, subject to the conditions in the attached site and route permits, is consistent with state goals to conserve resources, minimize environmental impacts, minimize human settlement and other land use conflicts, and ensure the state’s electric energy security through efficient, cost-effective power supply and electric transmission infrastructure. |
| 03/01/2022 | Environmental Assessment - Sherco Solar Project | This environmental assessment has been prepared for the Sherco Solar Project, which includes a solar farm and two high voltage transmission lines proposed by Xcel Energy and developed jointly with National Grid Renewables Development, LLC. This EA evaluates the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project and possible mitigation measures including siting alternatives and modifications. This EA is not a decision-making document, but rather serves as a guide for decision makers. The EA is intended to facilitate informed decisions by state agencies. |
| 09/20/2021 | Comments made or submitted at the Public Information - EA Scoping meeting and comment period for the Sherco Solar Project | Commission staff and EERA staff jointly held a Public Information and EA Scoping meeting at the Becker High School in Becker on August 31, 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information to the public about the proposed Project, to answer questions, and to allow the public an opportunity to suggest alternatives and impacts (i.e., scope) that should be considered during preparation of the environmental review document. A court reporter was present at the meeting to document oral statements. |
| 08/24/2021 | Public Information - EA Scoping Meeting Materials, Sherco Solar Project | Power Point and hand outs |
| 08/11/2021 | Commission Order - Application Acceptance, Sherco Solar Project | ORDER ACCEPTING APPLICATION AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZING USE OF THE ALTERNATIVE REVIEW PROCESS |
| 04/22/2021 | Site and HVTL Route Permit Application - Sherco Solar Project | Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy is proposing to construct an up to 460-megawatt solar project and two 345 kilovolt transmission lines to interconnect the Solar Project to the grid. As proposed, the West high voltage transmission line (HVTL) is approximately 3.2 miles long and the East HVTL line is approximately 1.7 miles long; both HVTL lines connect the Solar Project to the existing Sherburne County Substation. The Solar Project will partially replace energy production of the Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, which will cease operations in 2023. |