Renewable Energy Highlights Minnesota Power Growth Plan

In documents to be filed later today with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), Minnesota Power states it can meet the estimated future electric energy needs of its customers for the next decade while achieving real reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). This forecast is contained within Minnesota Power’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a comprehensive estimate of future electric needs within the Minnesota Power service territory.

“By adding a significant amount of renewable generation and some supporting peaking generation, Minnesota Power can meet expected loads through approximately 2020,” said Don Shippar, ALLETE Chairman, President and CEO. “We stand ready to meet the energy needs of our regional economy and to support new resource-based industries developing on the Iron Range with competitively priced power.”

Minnesota Power has pledged it will not add new coal generation or enter into long-term power purchase agreements from coal-based generation resources without a greenhouse gas solution. Through its Wood, Wind & Water initiative, Minnesota Power plans to add 300 to 500 megawatts of carbon-minimizing renewable energy to its fuel mix.

Besides the additional generation from renewable sources, the IRP states that Minnesota Power anticipates future supply will come from a combination of sources, including:

• “As-needed” peaking and intermediate generation facilities;
• Expiration of wholesale contracts presently in place;
• Short-term market purchases;
• Improved efficiency of generation and power delivery assets; and
• Expanded conservation and demand-side management initiatives.

“The resource plan shows there is no need for new base-load system generation within the Minnesota Power service territory in this time frame,” Shippar said. “Given the estimated one percent annual average growth in electric usage noted in the plan, Minnesota Power is confident it can meet customer needs through operation of its present facilities and successful execution of the initiatives we are developing.”

The entire filing will be available at https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/search.jsp.

Contacts:

ALLETE
Eric Olson, 218-723-3947
Communications Manager
[email protected]