Xcel Energy planning solar energy project in St. Croix County
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By Renee Bettendorf
HUDSON- Xcel Energy has plans for a solar energy project in St. Croix County that would include installing solar panels on 5,000 acres of land, upgrading an existing transmission line or building a new line and connecting the new solar power source to existing infrastructure at a power plant located near Stillwater, MN.
“We’re reaching out to landowners for leasing options, there has been a lot of interest,” said Xcel Energy spokesperson Randy Fordice.
Excel estimates that 300 megawatts of solar energy could be generated initially from solar panels that would be installed on land in and around the unincorporated community of Erin Corner. The proposed solar project, known as the Tenmile Creek Solar Energy Project, could eventually be expanded to generate 650 megawatts, enough to power about 150,000 homes, according to an information sheet circulated by Xcel Energy.
Fordice said the projects have been in the planning stages throughout 2024. He said that the land Xcel is interested in leasing for the solar project is ideal for installing solar panels because it’s flat. An additional advantage is that there is a nearby existing power line that could be upgraded and used in the project.
To transport electricity produced at the Tenmile Creek location Xcel Energy is proposing either upgrading an existing transmission line or building a new transmission line. This project is known as the King Transmission Connection.
One proposed route for the King Transmission Connection is an existing power line that runs mostly along county road E south of Erin Corner. That line would need to be upgraded from a 115 kilovolt line to a 230 kilovolt line. The other proposed route follows several town roads before following county roads A and V farther to the west. Excel is required to submit two route options during the regulatory process.
Either way the line would be 12 to 15 miles long and is expected to cost $90 million, according to Xcel. This proposed transmission line would connect the Tenmile Creek solar project to the Allen S. King plant, a coal-fired power plant located in Oak Park Heights, MN.
The King power plant, which has been in operation since the 1960’s, is scheduled to retire in 2028. While the plants’ address is technically Oak Park Heights, MN the plant is located basically in Stillwater, MN. With its several hundred foot tall smokestack, the plant is easily visible from the bridge over the St. Croix river.
Xcel plans to reuse existing infrastructure at the King power plant to distribute the electricity that would come from Tenmile Creek. In fact, Excel has to reuse grid connections at the King plant within two years of its retirement or else they lose the ability to serve customers through that infrastructure. This is due to federal regulation, according to Fordice.
This is not the first large solar project Xcel has tackled. They have many solar projects across eight states. Xcel has a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 85% by 2030 compared to 2005.
Timeline
Using feedback from landowners, local governments and other stakeholders, Xcel Energy will submit plans in an application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) for the King Transmission Connection and the Tenmile Creek solar energy project jointly, said Fordice.
Xcel will develop two route options for the King Transmission Connection to include in its application for certificate of public convenience and necessity that will be submitted to PSCW in early 2025.
Later in 2025 the PSCW will schedule public hearings where members of the public can make comments on the application and overall project. The PSCW will decide on the final route following its public review process. Xcel Energy expects the PSCW to make a decision on the King Transmission Connection application in 2026.
As for the Tenmile Creek part of the project, Xcel plans to begin the regulatory process in 2025 and hopes to begin project development and construction starting in 2026 and ending in 2030, according to an information sheet put out by Xcel Energy.
The company has been reaching out to residents who may be impacted by the projects. On November 12 landowners and community members were invited to an open house hosted by Xcel to learn more about route options under consideration for the King Transmission Connection project as well as information about the proposed Tenmile Creek solar project.
The open house, which was attended by about 120 people, took place at the Phipps Center for the Arts in downtown Hudson. Route and location options for the projects were available for review on large format maps at the event and several Excel Energy representatives were on hand to answer questions.
Representatives from Xcel have also met with several town boards in the project area. Anyone can view the route options on Excel Energy’s website. Comments can be submitted at the website or by email at KingTransmission@excelenergy.com or by phone 1-800-957-9921.
