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Note that the "Needed MW MN RES" bar in the bar chart in this section represents the total level of RES need in Minnesota. Conversely, the column in Table 2 that is labeled "MN RES Net" represents the additional RES capacity that is presently identified to meet RES need (a negative value means the utility has a surplus of RES capacity). The shortfall, or "gap", between MN RES need and the additional RES capacity identified points to the need for some utilities to seek additional renewable capacity and when they need to do so. Alternatively, some utilities may use renewable energy credits to fulfill their RES requirements.
In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature established a separate solar standard for public utilities, effective by the end of 2020. Minn. Laws 2013, Ch. 85, § 3, codified at Minn. Stat. § 216B.1691, subd. 2f (Solar energy standard). That statute requires public utilities subject to the solar standard to report to the Public Utilities Commission on July 1, 2014, and each July thereafter, on progress in achieving the standard. In the 2013 Biennial Report, even though the first report was not due until 2014, Northern States Power Company provided a brief analysis of its anticipated needs for solar energy in future years. The first solar energy reports required under the statute were filed in May or June 2014 and the Public Utilities Commission accepted these filings in an Order dated October 23, 2014. MPUC Docket No. E999/M-14-321. The second reports were filed in summer 2015 and were approved by the Commission on October 28, 2015. MPUC Docket No. E999/M-15-462. Readers are referred to those dockets for more information about the utilities' progress in meeting the upcoming Solar Energy Standard. Because this Chapter 8 of the Biennial Report discusses utilities' compliance with Minnesota Renewable Energy Standards, however, a brief summary regarding the status of compliance with the 2020 Solar Energy Standard is included below. Utilities will continue to file annual reports until 2020 as required by the statute and directed by the Commission.Renewable Energy MW Gap Analysis -- MN SES Utilities
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Table 3. MN & Non-MN SES Forecast (MW) |
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Utility |
2018 |
2020 |
2025 |
|||
|
MN SES |
Non-MN SES |
MN SES |
Non-MN SES |
MN SES |
Non-MN SES |
Heartland |
- |
- |
0.3 |
- |
0.3 |
- |
Minnesota Power |
- |
- |
30.0 |
- |
30.0 |
- |
Otter Tail Power |
- |
- |
30.0 |
- |
30.0 |
- |
Xcel Energy |
- |
- |
263.4 |
- |
265.7 |
- |
TOTAL |
- |
- |
323.7 |
- |
326.0 |
- |
Note: SES is the MN Solar Energy Standard which will require additional solar beyond the MN RES. |
This chart presents a system-wide overview of additional renewable capacity that will be acquired by individual utilities beginning in 2018 and capacity that will expire between 2020 and 2025. Such losses are attributable primarily to the expiration of various power purchase agreements for renewable energy generation.
Renewable Generation Gap Analysis -- MN SES Utilities
Capacity Additions & Losses (Net) to 2018 SES Base Line
Table 4 below Provides MN Utilities planned level of solar capacity additions.
Table 4. SES Capacity Acquired & Net MN SES Capacity Need (MW) |
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Utility |
2018 |
2020 |
2025 |
|||
|
SES Cap Acq. |
MN SES Net |
SES Cap Acq. |
MN SES Net |
SES Cap Acq. |
MN SES Net |
Dairyland |
21.5 |
- |
21.5 |
- |
21.5 |
- |
Heartland |
- |
- |
- |
0.3 |
- |
0.3 |
Minnesota Power |
11.0 |
- |
21.0 |
8.9 |
33.0 |
- |
Otter Tail Power |
- |
- |
- |
30.0 |
- |
30.0 |
SMMPA |
5.0 |
- |
8.0 |
- |
8.0 |
- |
WMMPA/ |
1.0 |
- |
1.0 |
- |
1.0 |
- |
Xcel Energy |
688.6 |
- |
873.8 |
- |
969.8 |
- |
TOTAL |
727.1 |
- |
925.3 |
39.2 |
1,033.3 |
30.3 |
Note: SES is the MN Solar Energy Standard which will require additional solar beyond the MN RES. |