Xcel Energy IRP 2024 / Public Utilities Commission

Xcel Energy’s new IRP shows how Xcel plans to meet its demand for electricity for the next 15 years.

A core responsibility of the PUC is regulating how Minnesotans get their power. This process begins when a utility files a new resource or distribution plan. These plans are forward-looking planning documents that focus on the utility’s forecast of how much energy customers will need in the future. Plans then analyze how energy conservation, fuel purchases, power generation, and infrastructure to get energy to customers’ homes or businesses, could meet those energy needs. In other words, it is a whole system view.

Xcel's plan includes:

Extending the use of existing nuclear plants into the 2050s.
Retiring coal facilities by 2030.
Adding new renewable resources by 2030, including 4,200 MW of wind and 400 MW of solar.
Adding 600 MW of battery storage by 2030.
Adding 2,244 MW of peaking capacity by 2030.
Integrating over 1,800 MW of additional distributed energy resources, for example distributed solar, energy efficiency, and demand response, by 2030.

Important procedural deadlines

February 1, 2024 – IRP filed with the PUC
June 10-20, 2024 - public meetings (see schedule below)
June 28, 2024 - Video Comments deadline
August 9, 2024 - Initial comment deadline (extended)
October 4, 2024 - Reply comments deadline
February 1, 2025 - Commission decision on the IRP

Xcel IRP calendar of events

What to expect at a public meeting

The Commission’s public process gives stakeholders a chance to review utilities’ plans and helps ensure decisions are built on feedback and analysis from citizens, utilities, state agencies, clean energy organizations, labor unions, consumer advocates, and more. Public meetings are one of those opportunities to learn more and make a comment.

Open house – One hour before the public meeting, state staff and Xcel Energy representatives will be available to answer questions. You can also submit a written comment if you cannot make the full meeting.
Public meeting – There will be a short presentation about the plan and then an administrative law judge will take your verbal comments. All comments and names of commenters are part of the public record.
Making an oral comment – There will be a sign-up for those that want to make an oral comment at the meeting. Commenters will be called to speak based on the order they sign up. We advise signing up by the time the meeting starts. The judge may open up to additional comments if there is time
There will be translation services for comments submitted in several languages, including Somali, Hmong, and Spanish.

Additional ways to get involved

If you cannot make the meeting, but still want to comment, there are multiple ways to reach the Commission.

Email to consumer.puc@state.mn.us.
Mail your comments to:
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
121 7th Place East, Suite 350,
Saint Paul, MN 55101.
Online form
Video Comments (Join Code 34b47e16) - Please limit you video to 3 minutes. If there is more you would like to say, or if you would like to submit your script, you can submit a written comment here. Flip will be merging into Microsoft Teams in September. However, Flip will remain available through the June 28 deadline, so please continue to leave your comments there.

When commenting on the Xcel IRP, reference docket number 24-67. Visit the comment page on the Commission’s website to learn more.

Learn more

Our planning webpage has more information on the purpose and requirements of resource planning

To learn more about Xcel’s IRP, start with the Nontechnical Summary (Page 298 of Appendix Z).

Xcel's project page: Midwest Energy Plan | Xcel Energy