Submitted by Christine Ouellette, Xcel Energy, Senior Media Relations Representative
EAU CLAIRE, WI – During a recent meeting with St. Croix County officials, Xcel Energy provided a comprehensive update on the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, highlighting several significant milestones including the completion of successful discussions with private landowners who have agreed to lease 100% of the land needed. The company also shared it is evaluating incorporating a battery energy storage system into the first phase of the project, instead of a future phase.
When completed, the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project will provide electricity for Xcel Energy customers in the Upper Midwest following the retirement of the Allen S. King Power Plant in nearby Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, which began operating in 1968. Installing solar or solar/battery in close proximity to the retiring power plant is the least cost and most viable option to reutilize important grid connections located near the plant.
The first phase of the project remains on track, and the company expects to file an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for up to 300 MW of solar with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin by the end of 2025.
“We are very pleased with the progress of the Ten Mile Creek Solar Project, our ongoing conversations with St. Croix County and the positive discussions with the private landowners who have agreed to be a part of this project,” said Karl Hoesly, president, Xcel Energy-Wisconsin and Michigan. “We have served this area for more than 100 years and we are dedicated to continuing to work together with our communities to provide safe and reliable electric service.”
If approved, the project will have a significant financial impact within the county, including the creation of hundreds of well-paying union construction jobs during its development. In addition to the construction roles, the project will create ongoing jobs and provide over $1 million in annual payments to St. Croix County and the towns where the solar is located.
Xcel Energy and St. Croix County also discussed details of a Joint Development Agreement to ensure that the project is developed responsibly, benefits the county and its communities, is protective of the environment, operates safely and complies with all regulatory requirements. A draft of the Joint Development Agreement will be presented to the full St. Croix County Board of Supervisors in the coming months.
Updated project maps can be found at xcelenergy.com/tenmile.
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. With its Wisconsin/Michigan headquarters in Eau Claire, Wis., the company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com, check out our Between the Lines blog or follow us on X and Facebook.
