Minnesota approves Xcel’s utility-owned battery program
Why it matters: **Xcel Energy** will own up to 200 MW of energy storage in Minnesota.
- Minnesota approved Xcel Energy's plan for utility-owned battery storage, allowing them to own up to 200 MW.
- Solar industry groups criticized the decision, arguing it was a missed opportunity to include independent developers.
- Xcel's Capacity*Connect program's second phase will involve the utility directly owning the energy storage assets.
Minnesota has approved Xcel Energy's plan to own up to 200 MW of battery storage through its Capacity*Connect program, a decision that has drawn criticism from solar industry groups. These groups view the approval as a missed opportunity to involve independent developers in the state's energy storage expansion. The program's second phase will see Xcel directly owning the storage assets, rather than procuring them from third parties.
