Minnesota Power issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 300 MW of solar energy to come online by 2027.
The RFP follows the approval of the utility’s 2021 Integrated Resource Plan by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The plan also includes retiring the company’s remaining coal-fired plant, Boswell Energy Center Unit 3, by the end of 2029, with Unit 4 ending coal operations in 2035. Boswell Unit 3 provides 335 MW of capacity and Unit 4 provides 468 MW.
As part of its EnergyForward strategy for a carbon-free energy future, Minnesota Power says it seeks cost-effective solar resources that are within its service territory with direct interconnections to the company’s transmission system, with a preference for projects in communities that have generation resources impacted by the company’s decarbonization plans.
Minnesota Power says it will consider multiple power supply options to meet its customers’ solar resource needs, including build-own-transfer and power purchase agreement projects along with self-build projects. Proposals will be accepted through Jan. 5, 2024.
