Xcel Energy plans to acquire 3 GW of utility - scale solar by 2030 and put online 1.85 GW of wind capacity by 2020 in the US state of Minnesota , as part of its plan to achieve 100 % carbon - free electricity by 2050 . Xcel Energy , which operates across eight US states , also plans to surpass the 680 GWh of energy efficiency it saved last year . Under the agreement, Xcel would proceed with plans to buy the Mankato Energy Center natural-gas plant. The renewable efforts coincide with the utility 's plans to close its two coal - fired power plants in Minnesota by 2020 .
Xcel Energy plans to acquire 3 GW of utility - scale solar by 2030 and put online 1.85 GW of wind capacity by 2020 in the US state of Minnesota , as part of its plan to achieve 100 % carbon - free electricity by 2050 . Xcel Energy , which operates across eight US states , also plans to surpass the 680 GWh of energy efficiency it saved last year . The renewable efforts coincide with the utility 's plans to close its two coal - fired power plants in Minnesota by 2020 .