Midwest’s largest battery energy storage site to be built in central Minnesota

BECKER, Minn. (KVRR) — Xcel Energy has announced plans to build the Midwest’s largest battery energy storage site.

It’ll be at the Sherco Energy Hub in Becker in central Minnesota.

The proposal, filed with Minnesota Public Utilities Commission last Friday, would double the amount of battery storage adjacent to the Sherco coal plant which is scheduled to retire by the end of 2030.

The new proposal would increase the capacity to 600 megawatts of storage.

If approved, construction on the battery storage projects would begin in 2026.

Bria Shea, president of Xcel Energy-Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, says batteries help store energy when it’s inexpensive to produce and dispatch it when needed.

“We’re making a significant investment in battery storage because we see it as a critical part of Minnesota’s energy future,” said Shea.

The batteries will re-use existing grid connections, allowing Xcel Energy to store energy produced across its Upper Midwest system at its wind, solar, nuclear and natural gas facilities and release it during periods of high demand.

“For half a century, LIUNA members have kept the lights on in Minnesota by building and maintaining Sherco coal units. Today, we’re proud to transform the plant into a clean energy hub—pounding posts for solar panels, planting pollinator habitat, and constructing pads for battery storage,” said Joel Smith, president and business manager, Laborers’ International Union of North America—Minnesota and North Dakota. “In our work with Xcel Energy, we’re meeting Minnesota’s climate goals while supporting local workers and communities.“