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    An Xcel Energy power plant in winter, some win power windmills, and some solar cells at sunset

    Xcel Energy's 2024-2040 Upper Midwest Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

    Xcel Energy’s 2024-2040 IRP sets out Xcel’s plan for meeting its customers’ 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.  

    The Commission approved a modified version of Xcel’s IRP on February 20, 2025. Read the press release here. The PUC Order is forthcoming.

    The approved plan for Xcel includes:


    • Extending the use of the Prairie Island and Monticello nuclear plants into the 2050s.  Retiring all coal facilities by 2030. 

    • Adding new renewable resources by 2030, including 3,200 MW of wind and 400 MW of solar.  

    • Adding 600 MW of battery storage by 2030.  

    • Adding approximately 2,100 MW of peaking and dispatchable resources by 2029, roughly half of which will come from wind, solar, and battery resources, and half from a new gas peaking plant (Lyon County) and two existing gas PPAs. Xcel’s proposed Lyon County plant will be subject to review in a future Certificate of Need proceeding.

    • Integrating over 1,800 MW of additional distributed energy resources, for example distributed solar, energy efficiency, and demand response, by 2030. 

    The Commission’s decision also includes provisions that:

     

    • Advance innovative new carbon free generating technology, including a virtual power plant and a thermal battery storage pilot. 

    • Ensure the cost of new generating resources are reasonable and prudently incurred.

    • Require Xcel propose creation of a new rate class for data centers and other super-large customers to ensure affordability, reliability, and state policy goals are met.  

    • Expand career opportunities for underrepresented populations and require annual reporting on Xcel’s workforce composition.

    • Require further work to expand energy savings opportunities for under-resourced customers and to prioritize investments and economic benefits for under-resourced communities. 

    • Require continued work and collaboration with host communities and labor representatives on matters including plant transitions, workforce development, and community benefits. 

    • Require annual reporting on key system conditions compared to forecasts. 

    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

    puc-icon-econ-comment

    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

    All information for the 2024 Xcel IRP is in Docket Number 24-67 .  

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

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

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