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This year’s sharp U-turn in federal energy policy has added new life to some of the nation’s old, outdated coal power plants, as Energy Secretary Chris Wright issues a series of “emergency” orders requiring them to keep churning the carbon-loaded kilowatts. Nevertheless, the age of cleaner, more affordable 21st century energy solutions is already in full force, as capably illustrated by the planned expansion of the Sherco Energy Hub in Minnesota.
Solar Plus Storage Is Replacing Coal & Natural Gas, Too
The Sherco facility is an interesting case because it demonstrates how community efforts and basic economics can push the needle on the energy transition. Just eight years ago, site owner Xcel Energy was laying plans to replace its existing Sherco coal power plant at Becker in the Minneapolis area with a new 786-megawatt gas power plant. However, state regulators were wary of the $1 billion price tag, and clean energy advocates organized to push for more economical solutions.
The gas power plan eventually failed and Xcel revised its coal replacement strategy to focus on renewables, renaming the site as the Sherco Energy Hub. The centerpiece of the facility is the Sherco Solar array, a three-phase, 710-megawatt solar plant slated to come fully online in 2026. When that happens, Sherco Solar will replace the entire capacity of a previously retired coal unit at the site. The two remaining coal units at the Sherco Energy Hub are slated for retirement in 2030…