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The once coal-powered Sherco plant in Minnesota is undergoing a major transformation. Once responsible for producing electricity worth billions, the plant is set to close in five years. However, instead of fading away, it will play a key role in connecting the largest solar project in the Upper Midwest—and one of the largest in the country—to the electrical grid. Thousands of acres around the plant are already covered in solar panels, but the plant’s most valuable component—the grid connection—will remain crucial.

Xcel Energy, which operates Sherco, plans to keep part of the fossil fuel plant running to facilitate this solar integration, aiming to cut through years of regulatory hurdles. This move is expected to prevent delays as clean energy projects often face challenges with grid connections.

Repurposing Old Plants for Renewable Energy

A study from the University of California, Berkeley, highlighted a potential solution to expand the nation’s grid capacity by reusing existing fossil fuel plants for renewable energy. Lead researcher Umed Paliwal stressed that many of these plants still hold valuable infrastructure, which could allow for the seamless integration of renewable sources like wind and solar. By connecting renewable energy projects to these older plants, the transition to clean energy could be accelerated.

Sherco is a prime example. As Minnesota’s largest coal plant, it emitted over 10.5 million tons of carbon pollution in 2022—comparable to the emissions of over two million cars. Repurposing Sherco for solar energy not only reduces emissions but also preserves jobs and supports the local tax base. As power plants close across the country, their potential to host renewable projects may prove essential to future energy plans.

Minnesota’s Path to 100% Clean Energy by 2040

The shift at Sherco aligns with Minnesota's larger clean energy goals. Under Governor Tim Walz’s leadership, the state aims to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2040. Pete Wyckoff, deputy commissioner of energy resources for the Minnesota Commerce Department, believes that projects like Sherco’s solar farm will help secure the local energy supply and meet the state's ambitious targets.

As the electricity demand grows due to factors like data centres and electrification efforts, tapping into existing infrastructure could help states like Minnesota achieve their clean energy goals while keeping costs down for consumers. Sherco’s transition marks a significant step in Minnesota’s journey toward a more sustainable and cleaner future.

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