Xcel Energy Sherco Solar Project
Project Details
Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy is proposing to construct an up to 460-megawatt solar project and two 345 kilovolt transmission lines to interconnect the Solar Project to the\r\ngrid. As proposed, the West high voltage transmission line (HVTL) is approximately 3.2 miles long and the East HVTL line is approximately 1.7 miles long; both HVTL lines connect the Solar Project to the existing\r\nSherburne County Substation. The Solar Project will partially replace energy production of the Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, which will cease operations in 2023.
Project Contact
Project Summary
Xcel Energy proposes to construct the Solar Project, a solar energy conversion facility with an up to 460-MW alternating current nameplate capacity, in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The Solar Project will partially replace energy production of the nearly 700 MW Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, the retiring of which in 2023 was approved by the Commission in October 2016.1 The Solar Project is located within agricultural fields between U.S. Highway 10 and the Mississippi River, and on the east and west sides of the existing Sherco Generating Plant.
The Project represents a joint development between Xcel Energy and National Grid Renewables Development, LLC (NG Renewables).
Key Project Documents
Date
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Title
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Description
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08/11/2021
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ORDER ACCEPTING APPLICATION AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZING USE OF THE ALTERNATIVE REVIEW PROCESS
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09/27/2022
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Based on careful consideration of the record, as well as the site permit and route permit criteria contained in Minn. R. 7850.4100 and Minn. Stat. § 216E.03, the Commission concludes that all procedural requirements have been met and that the project, subject to the conditions in the attached site and route permits, is consistent with state goals to conserve resources, minimize environmental impacts, minimize human settlement and other land use conflicts, and ensure the state’s electric energy security through efficient, cost-effective power supply and electric transmission infrastructure.
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03/01/2022
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This environmental assessment has been prepared for the Sherco Solar Project, which includes a solar farm and two high voltage transmission lines proposed by Xcel Energy and developed jointly with National Grid Renewables Development, LLC. This EA evaluates the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project and possible mitigation measures including siting alternatives and modifications. This EA is not a decision-making document, but rather serves as a guide for decision makers. The EA is intended to facilitate informed decisions by state agencies.
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09/20/2021
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Commission staff and EERA staff jointly held a Public Information and EA Scoping meeting at the Becker High School in Becker on August 31, 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information to the public about the proposed Project, to answer questions, and to allow the public an opportunity to suggest alternatives and impacts (i.e., scope) that should be considered during preparation of the environmental review document. A court reporter was present at the meeting to document oral statements.
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08/24/2021
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Power Point and hand outs
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04/22/2021
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Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy is proposing to construct an up to 460-megawatt solar project and two 345 kilovolt transmission lines to interconnect the Solar Project to the grid. As proposed, the West high voltage transmission line (HVTL) is approximately 3.2 miles long and the East HVTL line is approximately 1.7 miles long; both HVTL lines connect the Solar Project to the existing Sherburne County Substation. The Solar Project will partially replace energy production of the Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, which will cease operations in 2023.
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Docket Documents
View Project Documents (last 30) View All Project Documents
| Date | Document ID | On Behalf Of | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2026 | 20262-228157-02 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - 4th Qtr. 2025 Labor Statistics Report |
| February 13, 2026 | 20262-228157-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - January Monthly External Progress Report |
| February 13, 2026 | 20262-228157-03 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - 4th Qtr. 2025 Wildlife Injuries and Fatalities Report |
| February 13, 2026 | 20262-228156-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco Minor Alteration - January Complaint Report |
| January 30, 2026 | 20261-227694-02 | Xcel Energy | Compliance Filing - Annual Energy Production Report Attachment A |
| January 30, 2026 | 20261-227694-01 | Xcel Energy | Compliance Filing - Annual Energy Production Report |
| January 30, 2026 | 20261-227694-03 | Xcel Energy | Compliance Filing - Annual Energy Production Report Attachment B |
| January 15, 2026 | 20261-226958-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - December 2025 External Progress Report |
| January 15, 2026 | 20261-226955-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco Minor Alteration - December 2025 Complaint Report |
| January 6, 2026 | 20261-226549-01 | Xcel Energy | Notice of Restoration Completion - West HVTL & Minor Alteration |
| December 15, 2025 | 202512-225857-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 & 2 - November Monthly External Progress Report Compliance Filing |
| December 15, 2025 | 202512-225856-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco Minor Alteration - November Complaint Report Compliance Filing |
| December 11, 2025 | 202512-225765-01 | Xcel Energy | Sherco MRA - As-Builts & Geospatial Filing |
| November 14, 2025 | 202511-224941-02 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - 3rd Qtr. 2025 Labor Statistics Report |
| November 14, 2025 | 202511-224940-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco Minor Alteration - October Complaint Report |
| November 14, 2025 | 202511-224941-03 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - 3rd Qtr. 2025 Wildlife Injuries and Fatalities Report |
| November 14, 2025 | 202511-224941-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - October Monthly External Progress Report |
| November 11, 2025 | 202511-224835-01 | Xcel Energy | 2025-11-11 - Xcel Sherco Solar MRA - In-Service Date Letter |
| October 15, 2025 | 202510-223949-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco Minor Alteration September Complaint Report |
| October 15, 2025 | 202510-223947-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 & 2 September Progress Report |
| September 15, 2025 | 20259-223035-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 2 - In-Service Date Letter |
| September 15, 2025 | 20259-222983-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - End of Complaint Reporting |
| September 15, 2025 | 20259-222983-02 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - August Progress Report |
| August 15, 2025 | 20258-222166-03 | Xcel Energy | Sherco 1 and 2 - 2nd Qtr, 2025 Wildlife Injuries and Fatalities Compliance Filing |
| August 15, 2025 | 20258-222166-04 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - July Monthly Complaint Report -PUBLIC |
| August 15, 2025 | 20258-222166-02 | Xcel Energy | Sherco Solar 1 and 2 - 2nd Qtr. 2025 Labor Statistics Report Compliance Filing |
| August 15, 2025 | 20258-222166-01 | Xcel Energy | Xcel Sherco 1 and 2 - July Progress Report Compliance Filing |
| August 12, 2025 | 20258-222007-01 | PUC EIP | Minor Alteration Compliance Review |
| August 1, 2025 | 20258-221669-01 | Xcel Energy | Sherco MRA - Complaint Procedures, Field Rep |
| July 15, 2025 | 20257-220977-01 | Xcel Energy | Sherco 1 and 2 _ June 2025 Progress Report |