Minnesota Power Announces Two Large Solar Projects Totaling Over 200 MW in Northern Minnesota

Minnesota Power, a division of ALLETE Inc. has announced plans to build two major solar projects in northern Minnesota, advancing its commitment to a cleaner energy future while prioritizing regional renewable energy investments. The Regal Solar project near Royalton and the Boswell Solar project in Cohasset were selected through a competitive bidding process as part of Minnesota Power’s 2023 solar request for proposals, overseen by an independent evaluator.

The Boswell Solar project will feature 85 megawatts of capacity from 180,000 bifacial solar modules spread over 600 acres, with much of the land owned by Minnesota Power. Leveraging existing infrastructure at the Boswell Energy Center, the project will only require a collector substation and a short transmission line to connect to the grid. It is expected to go live by mid-2027.

The Regal Solar project will have a capacity of 119.5 megawatts, utilizing 255,000 bifacial modules over 800 acres. It will connect to the regional grid via a 3.5-mile collector line and substation and is also expected to be operational by mid-2027.

These projects are part of Minnesota Power’s plan to meet up to 300 megawatts of regional solar generation as outlined in its Integrated Resource Plan, approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in 2023. “These two projects exemplify ALLETE’s sustainability-in-action strategy by creating local jobs and local renewable energy, and the Boswell Solar project will support one of our existing host communities as we continue to plan for the future,” said ALLETE Vice President and Minnesota Power Chief Operating Officer Josh Skelton. “These projects will help move us toward our goal of providing more than 80% renewable energy by 2030 while working toward meeting the state of Minnesota law calling for carbon-free energy supplies by 2040. Both projects include preferences for local labor, diverse suppliers, and apprenticeships to train tomorrow’s renewable energy workforce.”