Minnesota Power seeks 400 MW of wind power by 2027

(Photo by ZHANG FENGSHENG on Unsplash)

Minnesota Power, a utility division of ALLETE, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 400 MW of wind energy to come online by the end of 2027.

The utility is seeking wind resources that are within the MISO Local Resource Zone 1 with direct interconnections to the transmission system and the ability to enter commercial production in 2026 or 2027.

Minnesota Power will consider both build-own-transfer and power purchase agreement projects, with a preference for projects between 100 and 200 MW in both categories. An independent third-party evaluator will help Minnesota Power screen and review proposals.

The procurement of wind through this RFP would increase Minnesota Power’s wind portfolio by nearly 50%; it currently has about 870 MW of owned and contracted capacity. The company currently delivers more than 50% renewable energy to its 150,000 retail customers.

This RFP follows Minnesota Power’s 2021 Integrated Resource Plan, approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which calls for the company to acquire up to 300 MW of solar energy (which is being evaluated in a separate RFP) and 400 MW of wind generation.

“The carbon-free future must be sustainable for the climate, customers, and communities for everyone to thrive, so we seek projects that will create local jobs, local economic benefits and train people in renewable technologies,” said Minnesota Power COO Josh Skelton. “New wind generation in the Upper Midwest can tap into an excellent wind resource and maximize use of regional transmission assets to deliver renewable energy to our customers and fits well with our portfolio of other energy supply resources to reliably meet customer demands around the clock.”

Proposals will be accepted through April 11, 2024.