The smokestacks at the aging Sherco coal plant are soon to become relics of the past as they stand over gleaming solar panels that stretch across thousands of acres of farmland. The Sherco plant, long associated with coal pollution, is nearing retirement, scheduled to close within the next five years. Despite its 50-year history of producing billions of dollars’ worth of electricity, its most valuable part now is the grid connection it provides — a crucial link to powering homes across the state.
Rather than letting this valuable infrastructure go to waste, Xcel Energy has announced that it will leave Sherco’s grid connection in place to power the largest solar project in the Upper Midwest — and one of the largest in the entire country. By repurposing this interconnection system, Xcel Energy is bypassing years of red tape and bureaucratic processes that would otherwise delay the distribution of solar power to its customers.
Experts say this strategy may be the key to solving America’s clean energy dilemma. Across the country, clean energy projects are being stalled due to grid bottlenecks — there’s more electricity waiting to be generated from clean sources than the current grid can accommodate. Without the ability to connect these new energy sources to the grid, many projects remain in limbo, threatening the progress of America’s clean energy goals.
This issue is becoming increasingly pressing as the demand for clean energy grows. Xcel Energy’s President, Ryan Long, describes the decision to repurpose Sherco’s grid infrastructure as “a real key to our strategy here.” By reusing the plant’s interconnection system, Xcel Energy is speeding up the transition from coal to solar and wind power, both of which are significantly cheaper than fossil fuels. This shift will not only cut costs but also allow for greater energy production with lower environmental impact.
The Importance of Sherco’s Grid Connection
The Berkeley study has played a significant role in identifying which power plants are the best candidates for grid repurposing. The researchers considered several factors, including whether there was suitable land nearby for solar and wind power, how much energy could be generated from these sources, and how easily renewable energy could be fed into the plant’s interconnection system.
A lot. By 2032, the study estimates that utilities could install up to 1,000 gigawatts of clean energy near plants that meet these criteria. These plants, including Sherco, have the potential to become hubs for renewable energy production, helping to supply the nation with the power it needs to meet increasing demands as data centers, AI technologies, and electric cars become more prevalent.
Sherco isn’t alone in its transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. In Illinois and Virginia, similar projects are underway, with solar arrays being plugged into the grid connections of retired or soon-to-retire fossil fuel plants. These projects provide an encouraging example of how grid repurposing can help accelerate the adoption of clean energy.
For Minnesota, the transformation of the Sherco plant represents a huge step forward in the state’s clean energy goals. Under the leadership of Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota has set ambitious targets to decarbonize its power sector, aiming to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2040. This transition is a critical part of the state’s larger climate strategy, which seeks to decarbonize the entire economy by 2050.
According to Pete Wyckoff, Minnesota’s deputy commissioner of energy resources, Sherco’s transition represents a chance for the state to harness locally produced wind and solar energy. “Anything we burn that’s fossil fuel, we are importing. We are making the wind and solar electricity here,” Wyckoff explains. By repurposing the Sherco plant, Minnesota is moving closer to self-sufficiency in its energy production and further reducing its reliance on imported fossil fuels.
What’s Next for America’s Clean Energy Revolution?
Sherco’s repurposing is a model for how America can transition to a cleaner energy future. By reusing existing infrastructure, Xcel Energy is setting an example of how utilities can overcome grid bottlenecks, reduce costs, and accelerate the move to renewable energy. As the U.S. moves forward with its clean energy revolution, projects like Sherco will play a key role in decarbonizing the nation’s power sector.
The Sherco coal plant’s transformation into a solar power hub is a monumental step toward clean energy in Minnesota and the wider United States. This move not only accelerates the adoption of renewable energy but also showcases how repurposing existing infrastructure can overcome the bureaucratic delays that have long hindered clean energy projects. As Sherco leads the charge, other plants across the nation are following suit, creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for all.