Minnesota Power: Renewable energy likely to cut coal need
From a story by Peter Passi in Duluth News Tribune:
Despite growing demand for electricity, Minnesota Power said it projects it will have no need for additional coal-fired generation for the next 15 years.
The Duluth-based company will submit its resource plan today to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. That plan forecasts that by 2022, its customer load will approach 1,950 megawatts. Minnesota Power’s customers consume almost 1,750 megawatts of power. One megawatt is typically enough energy to power 250 to 300 homes.
While Minnesota Power plans to steer clear of new coal-fired plants, it does aim to increase its overall power-generating capacity. McMillan said the company expects to add 300 to 500 megawatts of renewable energy through investments in wind power, hydroelectric and biomass-fueled plants.
“Through this resource plan, we’re recommitting to our goal of reducing carbon emissions,” said Dave McMillan, a senior vice president for Minnesota Power.
McMillan said Minnesota Power continues to explore the possibility of building a biomass unit at Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes. He said he expects to announce an East Range project some time in the next several years.
The company already buys 50 megawatts of electricity from the Oliver Wind Energy facility in North Dakota and it expects to have another 50 megawatts of North Dakota wind power online by year’s end. During 2008, Minnesota Power plans to install 10 large wind turbines on Minntac property in Mountain Iron, adding 25 megawatts of wind power.
