Xcel Energy Inc. on Friday told Minnesota regulators that it planned to abandon the proposed $800 million natural gas plant in Becker, Minnesota, that was to have taken over for three coal-fired plants.
Instead, the Minneapolis-based utility said it plans to build two smaller natural gas plants — one in southwestern Minnesota, the other in North Dakota — that will be used only intermittently. Xcel (NYSE: XEL) also said it would invest more in solar and wind-power facilities.
“Our new plan…