REGIONAL— Minnesota Power announced this week that it plans to boost the percentage of its electrical power coming from renewable sources to 44 percent by 2025. The announcement is part of the next step in the company’s EnergyForward strategy for ensuring a reliable and competitive energy supply for customers, while addressing the need to shift to renewable sources of power.

If approved by regulators, the proposal will further reduce the company’s carbon emissions while keeping rates affordable.

In an upcoming filing with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Power will request the addition of 250 megawatts of wind power capacity, an additional 10 megawatts of solar power, and 250 megawatts of combined-cycle natural gas generation to meet customer demand for power, which is projected to grow throughout the region. The new resources will increase the company’s already robust wind portfolio of 620 megawatts and double its solar generation.

“For the past four years, EnergyForward has been exceeding expectations for how an energy company can transform the way it produces and delivers energy,” said Brad Oachs, president of Regulated Operations.

With approval of the proposed resource package by the MPUC, renewable energy resources— including wind, Canadian hydro, solar, and biomass—will account for 44 percent of the utility’s energy supply portfolio, exceeding the initial EnergyForward goal of one-third renewable power. Minnesota Power’s long-term goal is an energy mix of two-thirds renewable energy and flexible, renewable-enabling natural gas, and one-third environmentally-compliant baseload coal.

Natural gas is an essential component of the resource package to be filed with regulators. Without this plant, Minnesota Power would be reliant on fluctuating wholesale market prices when sun and wind resources aren’t available, increasing overall costs over the long-run.

“Through a unique partnership with Dairyland Power Cooperative and access to a competitive natural gas supply, this approximately $350 million investment will further balance Minnesota Power’s energy mix while contributing meaningful growth for ALLETE’s shareholders,” said ALLETE Chairman, President and CEO Al Hodnik. “Minnesota Power’s EnergyForward investments and industrial load prospects complement nicely the nexus of energy and water growth initiatives already announced and additional opportunities being pursued by ALLETE Clean Energy and U.S. Water.